Teaching Grammar for ESL/EFL
Thursday, October 8th, 2009By Sam Moore
Department: Career and Professional Development
Instructor: Diane Larsen-Freeman
In this course, you’ll come to see English grammar as a three-dimensional process that’s useful in bringing coherence, cohesion, and texture to writing and speech. We’ll begin by considering seven definitions of grammar that we’ll draw on throughout the course. We’ll also discuss the differences between patterns and rules, and why second-language learners benefit from our instruction on both.You’ll learn why students need to understand the three dimensions of grammar—form, meaning, and use—and how seeing grammar as a dynamic and changing system helps students overcome many of their grammar challenges. You’ll also see why teaching grammar in a way that makes it personally meaningful to your students brings the best results.
Instructor: Diane Larsen-Freeman
In this course, you’ll come to see English grammar as a three-dimensional process that’s useful in bringing coherence, cohesion, and texture to writing and speech. We’ll begin by considering seven definitions of grammar that we’ll draw on throughout the course. We’ll also discuss the differences between patterns and rules, and why second-language learners benefit from our instruction on both.You’ll learn why students need to understand the three dimensions of grammar—form, meaning, and use—and how seeing grammar as a dynamic and changing system helps students overcome many of their grammar challenges. You’ll also see why teaching grammar in a way that makes it personally meaningful to your students brings the best results.
And since teaching isn’t just about presenting lessons, we’ll also go over the importance of “reading” your students—observing them to try to figure out what learning process they’re using. We’ll contrast rote or mechanical practice with meaningful practice, and we’ll go over guidelines for creating activities and adapting your textbook exercises to get students working on the unique learning challenge presented by each different grammatical structure.
For more information about this course, please click here.