2. A New Way
» Susan Nunan’s article, Forgiving Ourselves and
Forging Ahead: Teaching Grammar in a New
Millennium, gives several valid points for
teaching students Tools for grammar rather
than not teaching grammar in the classroom.
» Ms. Nunan realized she had to change her
views on grammar in order for her students to
learn and apply what she was teaching.
3. Historical Issues
» Prescriptive Grammarians were men of the 18th
century who determined correct spoken and
written English language. The way a person used
the English language was used to measure their
character. Slang or improper use of English would
reflect a lower morality in their estimation
» As much as we like to think we have moved past
this research done by Maxine Hairston in 1981
shows these rules are still in force today.
» It is equated along the lines of “To Burp or not to
Burp” in public rules.
4. Association
» The most important reason for teaching
grammar, according to Ms. Nunan, is to give
students the tools to think outside of their normal
scope and to add greater depth to independently
written thoughts or ideas they express.
» In the development of grammar and writing we are
developing speech and provoking “out of the box”
thinking.
» Associating grammar with day to day activities of
students gives them a new perspective on an old
concept.
5. Conclusion
» Grammar rules are Grammar Tools
» Effective grammar tools help students develop a
brighter future
» Make a decision to empower students to use
the tools of grammar effectively, correctly, and
creatively.
