ENGLISH MODULE 2: TOPIC 3
REFLECTING ON THE TEACHING OF GRAMMAR
Grammar means understanding the correct usage of language structure based on a fixed set of word forms
and rules for using the language.
Grammar is taught using two main approaches; deductive and inductive.
Grammar can be taught in the following contexts: games, songs and plays.
Importance of teaching Grammar in contexts
1. It helps learners to see the relationship that exists between their speech, writing and form, meaning and
use of English language.
1. DEDUCTIVE APPROACH
It is also known as Top- down approach. First, the teacher introduces or explains the grammatical rule, then
illustrates the rule with examples (gives examples on the grammatical rule). After that, the teacher asks
learners to give their own examples following the rule. Lastly, the teacher gives the learners an exercise to
do based on the grammatical rule taught.
Procedure for using deductive approach
1. Teacher explains the grammatical rule.
2. Teacher gives examples of the grammatical item following / based on the grammatical rule.
3. Teacher asks learners to give their own examples following the grammatical rule.
4. Teacher gives learners an exercise based on the grammatical rule or item taught.
For example, to teach nouns;
a teacher begins by explaining the meaning/ giving the definition of a noun as a word that names a person,
thing, place, idea or a state. Then he or she gives examples of such nouns as:
Personal - Jacob, place - Nathenje, thing - umbrella, idea - courage, kindness, state - illness, sadness etc.
Pros/ Successes/ Merits / Advantages of using Deductive approach
1. It saves time since the teacher just explains it.
2. Difficult language items are easily taught by the teacher.
3. Learners acquire (get) the correct knowledge on a particular grammar item.
4. It provides more time for learners to practice using the grammar items.
Cons / Demerits / Disadvantages of deductive approach
1. Teaching is mostly teacher - centred.
2. Learners become passive recipients of knowledge because they are not actively involved in
the learning process.
3. Learners who do not easily understand it can become frustrated.
4. It does not allow learner's to discover and understand grammatical rules on their own.
5. It encourages the false belief that language learning just involves knowing the rules.
6. Learners may not easily remember the rules.
2. INDUCTIVE APPROACH
Also known as Bottom - Up approach is an approach in which the teacher provides learners with examples
of a grammatical item and then asks learners to work out examples of their own to discover the the
grammatical rule from the examples. In other room words, the teacher guides learners in working out or
developing their own understanding of of grammatical rules of a language item. For example; to teach
nouns, a teacher may give learners a text and ask learners to identify words that name a person, a place, a
thing, an idea or a state from a text. Then he or she asks learners to describe the grammatical rule and give
the definition of the grammatical item.
Procedure for using inductive approach
1. Teacher gives examples of the grammatical item in sentences.
2. Teacher asks learners to to give their own examples of the grammatical item.
3. Teacher asks learners to discover the grammatical rule from the examples.
4. Teacher gives learners an exercise on the grammatical item for them to do.
Advantages / Pros/ Successes / Merits of Inductive approach
1. Learners are actively involved in the process of learning.
2. It promotes critical thinking in learners.
3. Learners develop deep understanding on forming and using language structures to
communicate meaning.
4. Learners easily understand and remember grammatical rules.
5. It helps learners to develop self - reliance and autonomy in discovering the grammatical rules
(to work out problems on their own).
Disadvantages / Demerits / Cons of Inductive approach
1. It demands or requires more time.
2. It needs skills in coming up with and explaining the grammatical rules.
3. Learners may easily come up with wrong grammatical rules or incorrect inferences during the
learning process. (Learners may form wrong grammatical rules).
4. Learners who prefer to be told the rules can become frustrated.
3. COMMUNICATIVE APPROACH
Another approach that combines both deductive and inductive approach is known as " Communicative
approach".
Importance of teaching Grammar
1. It promotes critical thinking
2. It helps learners to create and interpret a text.
3. It is the basis for effective communication.
4. It helps learners to understand language structure and usage.
Why is it important to reflect on the teaching of grammar?
1. It helps a teacher to consider effectiveness of the approaches to use for the teaching of grammar.
2. It helps a teacher to use appropriate communication in both spoken and written language.
Challenges experienced when teaching grammatical items
1. Inadequate knowledge of the grammatical content by the teacher.
2. Lack of appropriate teaching and learning resources such as teacher’ guides, learners’ books etc.
3. Lack of student motivation when learning grammar.
4. Negative attitudes towards grammar learning by learners.
5. Lack of exposure to English language by learners.
6. Lack of teacher’s knowledge on how to handle learners with diverse learning needs and learning
styles.
7. Failure by learners to come up with right examples on a given grammatical item when using
inductive approach to the teaching of grammar.
8. Some learners in upper primary are not aware of the basic rules and structural patterns that are
taught in lower primary classes.
9. Some learners fail to differentiate some grammatical items.
Possible solutions to the challenges encountered when teaching grammar
1. Teachers should use different approaches to the teaching of grammatical items(both deductive
and inductive)
2. Teachers should read widely to master grammatical content.
3. Integrate the teaching of grammatical items in other language core elements.
4. Provide learners with more examples of grammatical items when teaching grammar.
5. Give learners more practice on working with grammatical items.
6. Provide fun and motivate learners in the learning of grammar by teaching grammar in different
contexts such as songs and games like bingo, etc.
7. Involve experienced teachers when teaching grammatical items.
8. Encourage learners to use English for communication while at school.
9. Involve learners in reading supplementary reading materials.
10. Use that internet to get more information on grammatical items.
REFERENCES
Malawi Institute of Education (2018). Initial Primary Teacher Education English Module 2
(Draft version). Domasi: MIE. Pages 41- 45.
Malawi Institute of Education (2008). Initial Primary Teacher Education English Tutors’ book.
Domasi: MIE. Pages 8- 9.
Malawi Institute of Education (2018). Initial Primary Teacher Education English Module 3
Domasi: MIE. Pages 10 - 12.