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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 What is grammar, exactly?

Image by Julie Remizova on Flickr.com

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 What is grammar, exactly?
• 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

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 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
Deductive Approach
Overtly explain the Then provide specific
rule first. examples to reinforce.

Inductive Approach
Provide specific Then ask students to infer
examples first. or deduce the rule.

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 Deductive vs. Inductive Approaches
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

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 Deductive vs. Inductive Approaches
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

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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
 Teaching Grammar:
Listening & Speaking

Audio Recording
• Audacity
• Sound Cloud

Audio Blogs
• Ipadio
• Voice Thread

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 Blog Example
Listening/Speaking
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

Image by Wesley Fryer via Flickr

 Transparent Language
Lesson Plan

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 Lesson Plan Example
Grammar Lesson: Past Tense (ESL)
Skills: Reading, Writing
Approach: Inductive

Input Consious- Output Feedback

Raising Task
• Questions
Text Inductive: Identify • Every Voice
grammar patterns in • Dictation Voice Thread
the highlight step. • Typing answers
Assessments

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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."

J'accuse via Bonjour de France

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 Conscious-Raising Task
Lesson Authoring

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 Output

• Comprehension Questions
• Every Voice
• Dictation
• Typing answers in target language
• Assessments

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 Feedback
Students doing a Voicethread

Image by crol373 on Flickr.com

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 Upcoming Education Webinars

Looking for more expert advice on teaching languages

effectively with technology?
Check out our upcoming webinars.

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