2013年10月5日 星期六

True colors of "Grammar"

In chapter 27 (Burns & Richards, 2012.), it is said that grammar should be seen as a communicative resource, where users "choose" what grammar to use in order to create meaning in real world communication. Three steps are provided to teach grammar. First is to "notice": help students notice grammar in its real world usages. Second is to "guess and structure": use inductive or deductive ways to guide students into forming the way grammar works, this should modify over time as the students get more familiar with the grammar. Third is to "automatize": ask students to practice choosing grammar patterns to make meaning and communication. Furthermore, the assessment of grammar should not be completely isolated and separated from communicative purpose, it should not be a matter of correct or incorrect but of how learners are able to make "choices" upon what grammar to use. It should also be put in a real world communicative context when being assessed.