Teaching Grammar - Week 11 - Noticing Grammar

Introduction: Hello and welcome to Week 11 of the course Teaching Grammar for the Licenciatura in English Teaching at ULACIT. In this class we will do several activities to explore the topics of noticing and consciousness raising activities in grammar acquisition. 

Today's Goals:

• Explore the collaborative grammar study guide activity type and articulate the challenges and strengths of using it.
• Discuss the power of noticing and describe strategies to help raise students' awareness of the form and meaning relationships.
• Begin planning your grammar textbook review assignment. 

Guiding Questions:

• What role does noticing play in the acquisition of grammar items?
• How can teachers help students notice salient features of the target language?

Task 1: Grammar Review Study Guides

Let's explore another grammar activity type, Mark's collaborative grammar review study guides. These documents require students require students to complete a number of tasks to explore the form, meaning, and use of a particular grammar topic in a student-centered way. Click your group link below to get started. 

• Group 1: CLICK HERE
• Group 2: CLICK HERE
• Group 3: CLICK HERE

•   Now Discuss:
• What did you think of the activity?
• How challenging was this activity for you?
• How would you describe the way the document was written and what you were asked to do?
• This document was created for future teachers in a university level grammar course. How do you think this activity could be modifed for lower level language learners?

Task 2: Consciousness Raising Activities

As you just learned, many scholars say it essential for learners to notice the important grammar features in the language the hear and read. Teachers can help students with this noticing by creating consciousness raising tasks that require students to pay attention to how different forms are used in context. Click your group link below.

• Group 1: CLICK HERE
• Group 2: CLICK HERE
• Group 3: CLICK HERE

Task 3: Your Upcoming Assignments

On the last day of class, you and your group members will give a 20-30 minute presentation to review the way a sample textbook addresses grammar. Read the instructions for the activity below. Then click the link to the virtual library to select a book.

• Assignment Guidelines: CLICK HERE
• Virtual Library: CLICK HERE

References: 

Thornbury, S. (2001). Uncovering Grammar. Macmillan Education.