Grammar should not be primarily taught through grammar exercises
Although grammar exercises offer a right way of gauging the learners’ understanding and may offer sufficient practice, teaching grammar through literature or context and speeches is also essential.
When grammar is taught through literature, a learner understands how words are used together to bring out the intended meaning. In literature, students learn how the writers use language and how the words and sentences are organized. In grammar lessons, teachers guide students on how to derive the meaning of words and utilize them. Learning through literature fulfills this role perfectly as it offers a better understanding of how to apply different forms of grammar.
In grammar exercises, tests are provided in isolated sentences. These units do not allow the student to perceive how grammatical structures function in sentences and paragraphs.
Speeches are also effective ways of teaching grammar. Through the spoken words, the learner can identify important aspects of grammar such as pronunciation and intonation which affect the meaning of words. When the students practice using spoken words, or through conversations, they apply the grammar rules and concepts learned. Therefore, grammar should not be primarily taught through grammar exercises since literature and spoken words play a significant role.
Part Two
From the textbook chapters, the authors posit that grammar instructions or tests cannot be used in isolation as a method of teaching grammar.
I agree with the writers’ point of view. The writers assert that the grammatical instructions alone have little effect on the ability of a student in constructing grammatically correct sentences and paragraphs.
This does not imply that grammar tests are insignificant in learning. They help the children in identifying the proper form of grammar. However, the students may be unable to transfer or apply the grammatical structures in real communication. For this reason, a teacher cannot rely solely on the grammatical exercises to teach.
The writers postulate that the best way of teaching grammar is through authentic contexts. Contexts are written or spoken words that may reveal the usage of grammar. It may function as a valuable method of teaching grammar as the learners note the structure of words in texts or speeches. The contexts provide a student with frequent opportunities to utilize new structures in real communication. Contexts also allow the children to learn how to incorporate different structures and forms of grammar in different settings. For instance, the grammar exercises may teach the use of passive words. However, it takes more than the ordinary instructions for the student to apply the passive form of words in a report.
Many rules of grammar are tested by grammar instructions
Many rules of grammar, which are tested by the grammar instructions, point out the things English speakers should or should not do. For example, one of the grammar rules is that sentences should not end with a preposition. However, in conversations people usually say, “Who do you think you are talking to?” This shows that although people may know the grammar rules, their application is limited. This can only be taught through context.
Mastering grammar requires understanding morphology and syntax. Morphology indicates the usage of individual words while syntax entails how words are structured to convey meaning. Morphology can be taught through grammar instructions, but context enhances the syntax understanding. Teaching and Learning Cycle integrates the subject and language teaching which improves both morphology and syntax.
