Teaching English Grammar Penny Ur 2015

Clarity

• Clarity
• Truth

(the truth but not the whole truth)

• Simplicity

(an over-simplification is better than a true but complex rule)

• Demarcation

(check it doesn’t ‘overlap’ with another structure!)

• Parsimony

(don’t give extra information that doesn’t add anything)

Should we explain the rule in L1?

The use of the L1 in grammar explanations may be very helpful for two main purposes:

1. To explain underlying rules

2. To contrast L1 with L2

Should explanations be followed by practice exercises?

Yes: according to skill theory (Dekeyser, 2007)

No: according to model of consciousness-raising (Ellis, 2001)

Probably: minor points of grammar do not need to be practised in focused exercises.

Major features which are very often used wrongly – probably benefit from practice.

Learning by heart

Learning by heart