Tài liệu Phương pháp dạy ngữ pháp (How to teach grammar)

Lecturer: Thu, Le Pham Thien Materials 1. Harmer, J. (2007) The Practice Of English Language Teaching. Pearson Longman. 2. Harmer, J. (2012) Essential Teacher Knowledge. Pearson Education Limited. 3. Thornbury, S. (1999) How To Teach Grammar. Pearson Education Limited. The importance of Grammar in learning a foreign language • In order to understand a language and to express oneself correctly, one must assimilate the grammar system of the language studied. • One may know all the words in a sentence but fail to understand it if one does not know the relationship of the units of a sentence as they are arranged in a pattern. e.g. “home, we, at, not, are, now, right” What is Grammar? • Here is an example of language in use: “This is 2680239. We are not at home right now. Please leave a message after the beep.” An answerphone message kind of text  3 sentences  consisting of words  the words consist of sounds (when spoken) • All language in use can be analyzed at each of these four levels: text, sentence, word and sound  the forms of language. What is Grammar? • The study of Grammar consists of looking at the way these forms are arranged and patterned. For example: - If you change the order of the sentences  not well-formed message “Please leave a message after the beep. This is 2680239. We are not at home right now.” What is Grammar? For example: - If you change the order of words in each sentence: “Beep after a leave the please message.” - If you change the order of sounds in a word: “peeb” Grammar is a description of the rules that govern how a language’s sentences are formed. How to teach Grammar from rules? There are 2 important definitions: 1/ A Deductive Approach: starts with the presentation of a rule and is followed by examples in which the rule is applied. How to teach Grammar from rules? Advantages of using a deductive approach: It gets straight to the point  time-saving, allow more time for practice and application It respects students’ intelligence (esp. adults), expectations, and learning style (for those who have an analytical learning style) How to teach Grammar from rules? Disadvantages of using a deductive approach: It can be seen as dull, over-technical, and demotivating Certain kinds of learners, including younger ones, may react negatively It encourages the belief that learning a language is simply a case of knowing the rules How to teach Grammar from rules? Characteristics of helpful rules: Truth: rules should be true. Limitation: rules should show clearly what the limits are on the use of a given form. Clarity: Rules should be clear. Simplicity: Rules should be simple. Familiarity: An explanation should try to make use of concepts familiar to the learner. Relevance: A rule should answer only those questions that the student needs answered. How to teach Grammar from rules? How to teach Grammar from examples? An Inductive Approach: starts with some examples from which a rule is inferred. How to teach Grammar from examples? Advantages of using an inductive approach: Rules learners discover for themselves are more likely to fix their existing mental structures than rules they have been presented with  meaningful, memorable, and serviceable. A greater degree of Cognitive Depth Students are more actively involved in the learning process  more attentive, more motivated How to teach Grammar from examples? Advantages of using an inductive approach: It favours pattern-recognition and problem-solving abilities  challenging If the problem-solving is done collaboratively  learners get the opportunity for extra language practice. Prepare students for greater self-reliance  learner autonomy How to teach Grammar from examples? Disadvantages of using an inductive approach: Time consumed and energy spent Students may generalize into a wrong rule Heavy demand on teachers in planning a lesson Frustrate the students who have unsuccessful learning style or experience How to teach Grammar from examples? How to teach Grammar through texts? The word “word” can mean different things in different contexts. Ex: What does this word mean? Can I have a word with you? I give you my word. Word has it that they are getting married. If you want help, just say the word. How should I word this letter? How to teach Grammar through texts? Language is context-sensitive. Without context, it is very difficult to recover the intended meaning of a single word or phrase. There are at least three levels or layers of context: • the co-text (the surrounding text), • the context of situation (the situation in which the text is used) • the context of culture How to teach Grammar through texts? The implications of this contextsensitive view of language on grammar teaching are that: • Grammar is best taught and practised in context. • This means using whole texts as contexts for grammar teaching.