TEACHING GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT AND GRAMMAR IN ISOLATION (1).pdf
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The document discusses two approaches to teaching grammar: in isolation and in context. Teaching grammar in isolation focuses on memorization and form but often fails to enhance communication and comprehension, while teaching in context embeds grammar within meaningful texts, fostering better understanding and application of rules. The author argues for a balanced approach that prioritizes context-sensitive grammar instruction in language education.
TEACHING GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT AND GRAMMAR IN ISOLATION (1).pdf
- 1. TEACHING GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT AND GRAMMAR IN ISOLATION Teh Eng Foo
- 2. Teaching grammar in isolation Teaching grammar in context Grammar is focused and separated from the texts and literature. It is often drilled and tested to facilitate memorisation; teachers explain form, meaning, and basic function of grammar rules. Grammar is embedded in meaningful texts to construct a context-sensitive language instruction, promoting communication and comprehension.
- 3. Comparison of Teaching Grammar in Isolation and Grammar in Context
- 4. Based on Nunan (1993), textbooks provide explicit grammar content that is not bound to the context; isolated sentences are demonstrated and repeated for the aim of internalisation through constant manipulation with the result of declarative mastery. Through grammar in isolation, students know the grammar very well, but not taught how to apply in communicative and contextual means. Harmer (1991) and Saydalievna (2001) stipulated that teachers must demonstrate meanings and use of the language along with the form, and how it is stretched orally and in written communication. Isolated sentences provide meanings out of context. With focused grammar strung in meaningful sentences in cohesive units as meaningful texts, this builds up a wide-stretched discourse rather than single sentences that can’t be analysed. Why grammar in context?
- 5. Why grammar in context? According to Thornbury (1999), learning grammar in context provides a comprehensive view on how the rules are used in sentences. As language is context-sensitive, without context, students cannot retrieve the meanings as intended. Hammond (2023) mentioned that teaching in context stray away from expounding linguistic jargon by minimising technical terminology and maximising the use of examples. The goal of English language teaching is not to teach grammar rules but to teach how to apply them in the four language skills. Williams (2021) provided that grammar is better understood incorporated in the context of authentic reading and writing activities. However, many novice teachers tend to teach the rules of grammar in isolated, drill-like manner without the realisation of what meaningful contextualisation may look like in practice.
- 6. Teaching grammar in context in reading invitation to notice and label contextualised meanings bringing out the idea of “My Summer Holiday” focus on reading specific details and other learning standards applied Reading Aloud and Dialogic Reading Notice, label, and analyse the form and functions for conjunctions “and”, “but”
- 7. Testing grammar in context in reading test comprehension and communicative features focus on reading specific details and other learning standards
- 8. Teaching grammar in isolation in reading Explicit teaching Mastery drilling mention the meaning and name of the grammar; technical terminology and isolated examples are emphasised. does not pinpoint specific details and/or other learning standards focus on grammar units but not comprehension
- 9. Testing grammar in isolation in reading I am a strong ________ wise boy. 1. On Saturday, we went to the beach, ______ we didn’t go to the museum. 2. I bought a big hat ______ not the T- shirt. 3. My hobbies are drawing _____ writing. 4. Fill in the blanks with the conjunction “and” or “but”. focus on practising the forms and basic functions. does not pinpoint specific details and/or other learning standards sentences are isolated there is no reading text with a contextualised topic
- 10. Teaching grammar in context in writing invitation to revise and imitate a model text shared writing to guide through the writing process applied the writing process focuses on planning, drafting and writing an increased range of simple sentences, and also other learning standards contextualised meanings bringing out the idea of a diary of about great day.
- 11. Testing grammar in context in writing applied the writing process focuses on planning, drafting and writing an increased range of simple sentences, and also other learning standards focuses on a text type apply the taught grammar in a meaningful way
- 12. Teaching grammar in isolation in writing How to write using past tense “did”? I ate the vegetable. 1. I jumped on the bed. 2. I didn’t eat the vegetable. 1. I didn’t jump on the bed. 2. How to write using past tense “didn’t”? Explicit teaching Mastery drilling does not involve the writing process does not focuses on planning, drafting and writing an increased range of simple sentences, and also other learning standards drill to create isolated sentences with the target grammar
- 13. Testing grammar in isolation in writing write 5 sentences about a great day in the past tenses, “did” and “didn’t” I went to the beach. 1. I didn’t run along the beach. 2. I played with my sister. 3. I built a sandcastle. 4. I didn’t collect the seashells. 5. does not involve the writing process does not focuses on planning, drafting and writing an increased range of simple sentences, and also other learning standards Even though there is a topic, the isolated sentences created are not enough to bring out a story or a fact cohesively.
- 14. Based on my experience, students/pupils who undergo explicit grammar instructions without the focus on language skills are not able to communicate and comprehend. Due to their lack of memorisation, the grammar components drilled fade as they fail to realise and notice how the grammar are embedded in real-life application. Students/pupils may not understand the terminology or lingusitic jargon unless they have a good foundation in the language. For example, they may be confused of the term “gerund”, “past participle”, “present continous tense”, “modal verb”, etc. Test items for UASA call for the testing of comprehension and communication. Students/pupils are not asked to read or write isolated grammar and sentences, but to read and understand specific details or main idea, and to write and produce a meaningful text. Implications
- 15. Whilst it may be argued that grammar must be taught explicitly, a good balance must be maintained according to the needs. Many believe that teaching grammar in isolation is still the only way children really understand grammar and use it correctly. Debate on the Stance of Teaching Grammar in Isolation Teach grammar in isolation sparingly Focus on values such as comprehension, creativity, and communication assign explicit grammar exercises as homework for enrichment purposes sandwich explicit grammar teaching in between comprehensive and communicative instructions In ESL primary schools, teachers should focus on teaching grammar in context. In ESL secondary schools, explicit grammar instructions may be practised. Suggestions on teaching grammar in isolation:
- 16. Further Reading Hammond, K. (2023, May 16). Teaching Grammar in the 21st Century Classroom. Center for the Professional Education of Teachers. https://cpet.tc.columbia.edu/news-press/teaching-grammar-in-the-21st- century-classroom Mart, Ç. T. (2013). Teaching Grammar in Context: Why and How? Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 3(1), 124-129. DOI:10.4304/tpls.3.1.124-129 Nunan, D. (1998). Teaching grammar in context. ELT Journal, 52(2). Richards, J. C. (2006). Communicative Language Teaching Today. Cambridge University Press. Saydalievna, U. D. (2021). The Importance of Teaching Grammar in Context. Tematics Journal of Education, 6, 11-26. Thornbury, S. (1999). How to Teach Grammar. Essex: Pearson Education Limited. Williams, S. K. (2021). Context Is Everything for Effective Middle and High School Grammar Instruction. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/context-everything-effective-grammar- instruction/