Bristol Group MOE WKC English Teacher Training Project

Day 3 Session 3 (Friday, 8 October 2014, 2-3.30pm)

Language Across The Curriculum

Grammar is the set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language  in linguistics. Learners who are learning English as a second language or another language which is not its first language tend to face problem understanding the grammatical rules of the language itself. Therefore, it is the duty of the teacher to give additional practice to the learners so that they would be able to learn the rules of the language itself. 

  This can be seen in the given activity which was handled by Chris, one of the facilitators. The session started off with language bingo which was played to check the learners’ understanding of the various types of grammar. It is a very simple yet effective way of using grammar in a form of a game: grammar bingo, to check the learners’ understanding and ability to use grammar in sentences.  The teaching of grammar is one way to improve language accuracy as learners were taught on ways to check the accuracy of their language usage. A word of caution, the language bingo can be simplified to a simpler form to cater for students of lower proficiency and a more complicated version can be given to learners of higher proficiency. This, of course is one way of teachers using differentiation in the T&L of English and in this context, the learning of grammar.

  Working in pairs not only provides the opportunity for learners to learn from one another but the sharing of knowledge and experience will enhance learning for the learners. Pair work, especially in filling in the gaps between the knowledge that the learners have and have not, will not only assist the learners to learn better but also for them to remember well.

  The activities especially the Language Bingo that placed emphasis on grammar and filling in gaps on missing information of different types of grammar items are some activities that allow the learners to elicit answers as well as learn grammar items through pair work as well as group work. This is important as the imparting of knowledge is done through a simple game of bingo, matching sentences to the different types of grammar usage. Learning especially in the learning of a second language is important to be done in a fun and exciting manner so it will leave a lasting impression to the learners.

Aishah Muslim
Ungku Omar Polytechnic