Good grammar is a vital skill for advanced language proficiency: Knowing how words work and how they fit together is critical for putting foreign words to proper use. The need to learn grammar is always going to be part of language learning, and should not be neglected. Even when using an approach that emphasizes the acquisition of vocabulary, ways can and should be found to incorporate grammar into the learning process. The right strategies and technologies can overcome any objections about possible boredom or difficulty by making grammar learning appealing, efficient, and effective. This webinar explains the methodology of Lexical Functional Grammar and demonstrate how to integrate it into lesson planning.

1. Transparent Language Education Webinar Series
Teaching Grammar Through
Technology
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2. 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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3. Image by Julie Remizova on Flickr.com
What is grammar, exactly?
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4. 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

5. What is the purpose of
learning grammar?
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6. 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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7. Approaches to Teaching Grammar
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8. 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

9. 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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10. 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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11. Elements for an Effective
Grammar Lesson
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12. 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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13. Strategies for Teaching Grammar with
Technology
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14. Ask yourself:
What does technology do better?
What can technology achieve that
other resources cannot?
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15. Teaching Grammar:
Reading & Writing
• Blogs
• iBook Author
• Wiki
• Google Docs
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16. 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

17. #TLedwebinars
Teaching Grammar:
Listening & Speaking
Audio Recording
• Audacity
• Sound Cloud
Audio Blogs
• Ipadio
• Voice Thread

18. 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

19. Transparent Language
Lesson Plan
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20. 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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21. 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

22. Conscious-Raising Task
Lesson Authoring
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23. #TLedwebinars
Output
• Comprehension Questions
• Every Voice
• Dictation
• Typing answers in target language
• Assessments

24. Feedback
Students doing a Voicethread
Image by crol373 on Flickr.com
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25. #TLedwebinars
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