Transparent Language Education Webinar Series

Teaching Grammar Through Technology

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Agenda

• What is grammar, exactly?

• What is the purpose of learning grammar?

• Approaches to teaching grammar

• Elements for an effective grammar lesson

• Strategies for teaching grammar with technology

• Lesson plan example

• Q&A

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Image by Julie Remizova on Flickr.com

What is grammar, exactly?

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What is grammar, exactly?

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• Phonology—organization of sounds

• Morphology—structure and form of words

• Syntax—arrangement of words into larger units

• Semantics—meanings of language

• Pragmatics—functions of language & its use in context

What is the purpose of learning grammar?

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What is the purpose of learning grammar?

• Communicate more clearly

• Form more complex, compelling sentences

• Identify patterns

• Improve writing skills

• Explore the logic of a language (It can be fun!)

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Approaches to Teaching Grammar

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Deductive vs. Inductive Approaches

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Then provide specific examples to reinforce.

Overtly explain the rule first.

Then ask students to infer or deduce the rule.

Provide specific examples first.

Deductive Approach

Inductive Approach

Deductive Approach

Pros

• Gets to the point quickly

• Saves time for more examples

Cons

• Teaches grammar in an isolated way

• Can feel mechanical and/or boring

Deductive vs. Inductive Approaches

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Inductive Approach Pros

• Self-discovered rules are more memorable

• Involves more student interaction

• Encourages independent learning

Cons

• Time consuming

• Students may incorrectly deduce rules, leading to confusion/frustration

Deductive vs. Inductive Approaches

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Elements for an Effective Grammar Lesson

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Elements for an Effective Grammar Lesson

• Input Activities -Help students internalize the rule

• Conscious-Raising Tasks -Give students time to practice and engage with the rule

• Output -Require students to demonstrate understanding

• Feedback

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Strategies for Teaching Grammar with Technology

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Ask yourself:

What does technology do better?

What can technology achieve that other resources cannot?

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Teaching Grammar: Reading & Writing

• Blogs

• iBook Author

• Wiki

• Google Docs

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Blog Example

Reading/Writing

Read: Blog "Carnavales en Perú"

Answer: Comprehension questions (Google Docs)

Create: Mind map of key ideas in Spanish

Compare/Contrast: Twitter tweets on festival

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Teaching Grammar: Listening & Speaking

Audio Recording • Audacity • Sound Cloud Audio Blogs • Ipadio • Voice Thread

Blog Example

Listening/Speaking

Image by Wesley Fryer via Flickr

Task: Story about a young girl

Student 1: Describes her physically

Student 2: Describes her personality

Student 3: Explains her daily routine

Student 4: Narrates her past

Student 5: Predicts her future

Transparent Language Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan Example Grammar Lesson: Past Tense (ESL)

Skills: Reading, Writing Approach: Inductive

Input Consious-Raising Task

Output Feedback

Text

Inductive: Identify

grammar patterns in the highlight step.

• Questions • Every Voice • Dictation • Typing answers

Assessments

Voice Thread

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Input "Upon arriving at the Palace Bourbon, a Saturday at the beginning of

January of 1998, some provincial college students on an educational trip to Paris were intrigued by the deployment of a huge canvas. This canvas was

installed by some climbers on the facade of the French chamber of deputies building. It measured 150 m2 and was part of the headlines of

the paper “L’aurore” on January 13, 1898. This article was an opened letter to the president of the republic sign by Émile Zola. Even though the

students knew the author, they were not necessarily aware of the circumstances of the publication of this article or its consequences. The President of the National Assembly office, the Socialist Laurent Fabius,

received them and explained the reasons for this commemoration."

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J'accuse via Bonjour de France

Conscious-Raising Task Lesson Authoring

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Output

• Comprehension Questions

• Every Voice

• Dictation

• Typing answers in target language

• Assessments

Feedback Students doing a Voicethread

Image by crol373 on Flickr.com

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