Teaching Grammar Through The Use Of Texts.

Project director: MA. in ELT. Cesar Jaimes Jaimes / Eduardo Gonzales Jaimes; América Yatziri Galindo Aranda
3 mar 2021
2 Min. de lectura

Actualizado: 28 mar 2021

Grammar's concept.

The study of sentence structure. Rules and examples show how the language should be used. This is a correct usage grammar, as in a textbook or manual/guide. The system which people learn as they grow up.

Use of Texts.

As well as grammar input, texts provide vocabulary input, skills practice, and exposure to features of text organization. Their use in the classroom is good preparation for independent study. If the texts come from the students themselves, they may be more engaging and their language features therefore more memorable.

Target

It is the use of context and culture within grammar teaching, where by means of writing or reading I can obtain information and data to learn.

Activities with this Method.

Contrasting Present Progressive – “Going to” Future)

This is Mr West. He has a bag in his left hand. Where is he standing? He is standing at the door of his house.

What is Mr. West going to do? He is going to put his hand into his pocket. He is going to take a key out of his pocket. He is going to put the key into the lock.

(from Hornby, A.S. Oxford Progressive English Course, Oxford University Press, 1954)

In this activity, the image is a material of imagination, because It is use a text with questions that help us to writing a little answer.

Advantages of using texts

They provide co-textual information, allowing learners to deduce the meaning of unfamiliar grammatical items from the co-text.
If the texts are authentic they can show how the item is used in real communication.
As well as grammar input, texts provide vocabulary input, skills practice, and exposure to features of text organization.
Their use in the classroom is good preparation for independent study.
If the texts come from the students themselves, they may be more engaging and their language features therefore more memorable.

Disadvantages

The difficulty of the text, especially an authentic one, may mean that some of the above advantages are lost.
The alternative - to use simplified texts - may give a misleading impression as to how the language item is naturally used, again defeating the purpose of using texts.
Not all texts will be of equal interest to students.
Students who want quick answers to simple questions may consider the use of texts to be the 'scenic route' to language awareness and would prefer a quicker, more direct route instead.