Grammar is the system of a language. People sometimes describe grammar as the “rules” of a language, but in fact, no language has rules. If we use the word “rules”, we suggest that somebody created the rules first and then spoke the language, like a new game. But languages did not start like that. Languages started by people making sounds which evolved into words, phrases, and sentences. No commonly spoken language is fixed. All languages change over time. What we call “grammar” is simply a reflection of a language at a particular time.
Why should I study grammar?
In some situations, grammar is about being correct, and sentences are judged on if they are correct or not. So knowing grammar rules has its place.
Having a strong foundation in grammar means being familiar with common patterns and understanding what they really mean, not just remembering when they are used. So when you use the language you can make more sense of what people say and express yourself better because you are more comfortable with how people express various ideas.
Here are three reasons to study grammar if you want to be a better communicator.
- Different languages have different structures. Improving your knowledge of and using English structures makes it easier for English speakers to understand you.
- Grammar provides the framework, knowing the basics of what people say helps you understand the vocabulary you don’t know.
- It’s a shortcut — get lots of useful examples when you need them so you can make sense of how the language works.
Grammar in Daily Life
In our everyday lives, grammar is everywhere. We use it at home, at school, at work, and in the streets. It is the core of a language regardless of one’s culture, mastery, and understanding of it. Being able to use grammar also widens one’s vocabulary. It opens doors of opportunities for us to be able to communicate freely, with no barriers and hesitations.
In teaching, grammar plays a vital role in how effectively a teacher conveys his lessons. Knowing the highs and lows of the language could make or break a lesson. In one instance, a teacher could adjust the level of difficulty of words to be used if he is familiar with grammar. This could lead to a more enjoyable experience for both teachers and students. One more thing, being able to express yourself confidently as a teacher with the right grammar commands respect and a positive outlook from your students. Mastering proper grammar could inspire your students to also strive harder in learning the language.
Ways to learn grammar
- Grammar and punctuation bingo: This fun game can be tailored to students of all ages. Teachers begin by developing bingo cards that contain different instructions such as “find a sentence written in the active voice.” The students are given a common resource, such as the latest issue of the Wall Street Journal, and must race to see who can get ‘BINGO’ first. Cards for elementary school students may contain more basic questions related to nouns, pronouns, and verbs, whereas cards for older students will focus on more complex word usage and sentence structures. Short exercises like this one can be done on a regular basis in the classroom to keep grammar fresh in the minds of students.
- Crossword puzzles: There are wide variety of word puzzles available that teachers can use to encourage student understanding and practice of different parts of a sentence, verb conjugations, and concepts such as synonyms and antonyms. Many are crossword puzzles where clues might entail ideas such as “three-letter antonym for happy” or “the past tense of the run.” Puzzles can be used for fun competitions between students or for take home assignments.
- The grammar version of ‘Hot Potato’: Many students, especially those in the elementary grades, enjoy being able to get up and move around. Have the students get up and stand in a circle. Give the first student a bean bag and set a basic timer for a random interval, such as one minute six seconds. The student with the bean bag must think of a word that falls into a particular category, such as a verb, and then pass it to the left as quickly as possible. The student left holding the bag when the time beeps must leave the circle.
- Celebrity biographies: Find a celebrity biography that will be quick and easy to read in class. Have the students use the biography to identify the different forms of the past tense. For example, underline the difference between “she has performed many concerts in her career” versus “she had performed in many concerts” versus “she was born.” Have the students name the verb form being used in each example and ask them to orally explain the difference between the different usages. This exercise will help students see how grammar can influence the meaning of words and potentially alter a story.
- Learning the difference between ‘a’ and ‘an’: This activity is geared toward younger children. The teacher should cut out pictures or words of common nouns that the children interact with on a regular basis. Mix all the sheets up, divide the students into groups, and give them all a pile of sheets. Have them divide their sheets into piles, one for words that go with ‘a’ and the other for words that go with ‘an.’ Once the students have finished the activity, have them discuss and see if they can figure out the rule themselves. Using good grammar is essential for quality education. If students do not understand grammar, they will struggle with reading, writing, and speaking. Fortunately, this does not mean that students need to sit at their desks for hours diagramming sentences. Teachers can incorporate the ideas listed above to make their grammar teaching engaging and memorable for students.
