"D" wrote to question the results of a recent poll indicating that 70% of the teachers support grammar instruction. Then through some innuendo that didn't make much sense to me, he posited some kind of relationship between 70% of the professionals who support various degrees of direct grammar instruction with 70% of the human herd who supported Bush's invasion of Iraq. I don't get it. "EB"
It is interesting to note that both the Greeks and Romans each developed and refined philosophy, grammar, logic and the argument formats where premises supported conclusions.
Grammar added logic, purpose and meaning to language.
Logic was used to determine the difference between truth and fallacy.
Instead of comparing grammar to war or swimming lets use people.
People who say "we don't need grammar" are using the same logic as people who said "the earth is flat".
For centuries these "Flat Earthers" could say the earth is flat - you can not prove it is round.
First "we don't need grammar" theory was - humans are built with grammar already installed.
Careful scientific testing since the early days of the 1980's have proven this wrong.
Second "we don't need grammar" theory - Students will just pick up the grammar with massive English input.
Which is why so many post 1985 high school and college grads can not write a correct sentence.
"Flat Earthers" did not take kindly to their pet theory being proven wrong - they really tried to demonize the earth is round believers.
Listen to this from an anti-grammarian" For those on the grammar translation side it is a formal system of rules first developed by a bunch of monks in the middle ages and based on Latin." And more from this guy: "languages come from usage, and usage follows no rules".
The new learning research is like the early round earth believers who developed methods and experience to prove their theory. People actually sailed around the earth - people used balloons to show the earth's curvature - progress eventualy proved the theory correct.
Eventually everyone learned the earth was round and eventually the new learning research will prove how people learn languages best.
I am betting on grammar - after all the last 15 years of real science have proven it accelerates learning and should not be ignored. In the next five to ten years I really hope we have the conclusive evidence of how people learn languages best.
Now for my throwing back the demonization "so we can flush out the flat earthers who are crippling our kids".
ESL in Canada
**********
Blog URL
http://eslincanada.blogspot.com/
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Malaysian English Language Teaching Association Requests
The Malaysian English Language Teaching Association is putting together articles for a book on the teaching of grammar and would welcome submissions.
We will consider theoretical and practical ideas for teaching the grammar of English where the purpose of teaching grammar forms and structures are related to the meaning and use of specific communication tasks that students need to complete.
Research-based chapters without any teaching apparatus but with implications for teaching will also be accepted.
Please send in an abstract, by February 21, 2008, with the information as stated below.
We will reply as soon as possible and will expect the full paper by April 30, 2008.
Please send all submissions to: umki@pc.jaring.my
Abstract for submission
Name:
Email address:
Address:
Phone numbers:
Grammar item to be taught:
Target group: children/young adults/adults
Type of submission:
Theoretical:
Approaches, Teaching Techniques, Teaching Problems, Grammar problems etc.
Practical:
Game, Focused practice, Communicative practice, Role Plays,
Drills, Use of Poems, Narratives and songs, etc.
Brief summary of submission
Requirements for paper
The final submission should include the following:
Name:
Title:
Designation (If applicable):
School/Institution (If applicable):
Email address:
Mailing Address:
Phone numbers:
Grammar item to be taught:
Target group: children/young adults/adults
Type of submission: e.g.
Theoretical: Approaches, Teaching Techniques, Teaching Problems, Grammar
problems etc.;
Practical: Game, Focused practice, Communicative practice, Role Plays,
Drills, Use of Poems, Narratives and songs, etc.
Theory-based papers should include the following:
1. Introduction
2. Discussion
3. Application to the classroom, level of learners, classroom environment etc.
4. Research data and findings (if applicable)
5. Examples of application in the classroom
6. Samples of material (if applicable) (max. 2 pages)
7. References (max. 1 page)
Practical-based papers should include the following:
1. Introduction/Background/ Overview
2. Objectives
3. Teacher Preparation (needed resources & materials)
4. Classroom Environment (Rural/Urban; Target learners etc.)
5. Students' reaction & learning (Approx. ½ page)
6. Why is the idea successful (based on language learning theories, etc.)?
7. Has the idea been used elsewhere?
If so, quote sources and reactions to the idea.
8. Sample materials (if possible) (max. 2 pages)
9. References (max. 1/2 page)
**********
Blog URL
http://eslincanada.blogspot.com/
We will consider theoretical and practical ideas for teaching the grammar of English where the purpose of teaching grammar forms and structures are related to the meaning and use of specific communication tasks that students need to complete.
Research-based chapters without any teaching apparatus but with implications for teaching will also be accepted.
Please send in an abstract, by February 21, 2008, with the information as stated below.
We will reply as soon as possible and will expect the full paper by April 30, 2008.
Please send all submissions to: umki@pc.jaring.my
Abstract for submission
Name:
Email address:
Address:
Phone numbers:
Grammar item to be taught:
Target group: children/young adults/adults
Type of submission:
Theoretical:
Approaches, Teaching Techniques, Teaching Problems, Grammar problems etc.
Practical:
Game, Focused practice, Communicative practice, Role Plays,
Drills, Use of Poems, Narratives and songs, etc.
Brief summary of submission
Requirements for paper
The final submission should include the following:
Name:
Title:
Designation (If applicable):
School/Institution (If applicable):
Email address:
Mailing Address:
Phone numbers:
Grammar item to be taught:
Target group: children/young adults/adults
Type of submission: e.g.
Theoretical: Approaches, Teaching Techniques, Teaching Problems, Grammar
problems etc.;
Practical: Game, Focused practice, Communicative practice, Role Plays,
Drills, Use of Poems, Narratives and songs, etc.
Theory-based papers should include the following:
1. Introduction
2. Discussion
3. Application to the classroom, level of learners, classroom environment etc.
4. Research data and findings (if applicable)
5. Examples of application in the classroom
6. Samples of material (if applicable) (max. 2 pages)
7. References (max. 1 page)
Practical-based papers should include the following:
1. Introduction/Background/ Overview
2. Objectives
3. Teacher Preparation (needed resources & materials)
4. Classroom Environment (Rural/Urban; Target learners etc.)
5. Students' reaction & learning (Approx. ½ page)
6. Why is the idea successful (based on language learning theories, etc.)?
7. Has the idea been used elsewhere?
If so, quote sources and reactions to the idea.
8. Sample materials (if possible) (max. 2 pages)
9. References (max. 1/2 page)
**********
Blog URL
http://eslincanada.blogspot.com/
JALTCALL 2008 Conference
JALTCALL 2008 Conference
New Frontiers in CALL: Negotiating Diversity
Venue and Dates:
* Saturday, 31st May - Sunday, 1st June, 2008
* Faculty of Foreign Languages and Asian Studies
Nagoya University of Commerce & Business
4-4 Sagamine, Komenoki-cho, Nisshin-shi, Aichi-ken, 470-0193 Japan
Keynote Speaker:
* Phil Hubbard, Ph.D. Director, English for Foreign Students
Senior Lecturer in Linguistics, Stanford University, USA
Plenary Speaker:
* Gavin Dudeney Project Director, The Consultants-E
* The Internet and the Language Classroom (Cambridge University Press,2000)
* How to Teach English with Technology (Longman, 2007)
Important Dates:
* Deadline for submission of proposals: February 15, 2008
* Notification of acceptance: March 15, 2008
* Details of preliminary schedule: March 30, 2008
Presentations may include the following areas:
* The impact of new and emerging CALL technologies
* Relationships between CALL and other disciplines
* Connections between CALL and virtual learning environments
* Future directions of CALL-based teaching and research
* A focus on CALL and theories of Second Language Language Acquisition
Note that the above list is intended to be representative rather than conclusive, so different perspectives on the conference theme are encouraged. Submissions that do not deal directly with the conference theme are also most welcome, provided they demonstrate a sufficient level of innovation, quality of research, or suggestions for improvement of the field. Proposals are encouraged in either English or Japanese.
For further information, please email jc2008@jaltcall.org
**********
Blog URL
http://eslincanada.blogspot.com/
New Frontiers in CALL: Negotiating Diversity
Venue and Dates:
* Saturday, 31st May - Sunday, 1st June, 2008
* Faculty of Foreign Languages and Asian Studies
Nagoya University of Commerce & Business
4-4 Sagamine, Komenoki-cho, Nisshin-shi, Aichi-ken, 470-0193 Japan
Keynote Speaker:
* Phil Hubbard, Ph.D. Director, English for Foreign Students
Senior Lecturer in Linguistics, Stanford University, USA
Plenary Speaker:
* Gavin Dudeney Project Director, The Consultants-E
* The Internet and the Language Classroom (Cambridge University Press,2000)
* How to Teach English with Technology (Longman, 2007)
Important Dates:
* Deadline for submission of proposals: February 15, 2008
* Notification of acceptance: March 15, 2008
* Details of preliminary schedule: March 30, 2008
Presentations may include the following areas:
* The impact of new and emerging CALL technologies
* Relationships between CALL and other disciplines
* Connections between CALL and virtual learning environments
* Future directions of CALL-based teaching and research
* A focus on CALL and theories of Second Language Language Acquisition
Note that the above list is intended to be representative rather than conclusive, so different perspectives on the conference theme are encouraged. Submissions that do not deal directly with the conference theme are also most welcome, provided they demonstrate a sufficient level of innovation, quality of research, or suggestions for improvement of the field. Proposals are encouraged in either English or Japanese.
For further information, please email jc2008@jaltcall.org
**********
Blog URL
http://eslincanada.blogspot.com/
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Announcing the launch of AzarGrammar.com
Dear Fellow teachers,
I am delighted to announce the launch of AzarGrammar.com. At last! We've been working to achieve this for a number of years.
My purpose in creating this site has been to provide useful support for teachers. Hopefully, we can pool our experiences, materials and ideas to create a community of teachers worldwide.
The site isn't just for teachers who use Azar textbooks; it's for any teacher using any materials who is interested in any way in the role of grammar in second language instruction.
Click on the link below and you'll find:
a discussion forum moderated by Maria Spelleri
http://azargrammar.com/teacherTalk/forums/
a blog by Richard Firsten ("The Grammar Guy")
http://azargrammar.com/grammarGuy/
various writings and videos of mine about teaching ESL/EFL
(I'd love to hear your responses!)
http://azargrammar.com/authorsCorner/index.html
Teacher-created grammar exercises that can be printed and modified for class use.
http://azargrammar.com/teachersGuides/index.html
Communicative games and activities (including Suzanne Woodward's entire book Fun with Grammar as well as other class-activity materials created by Maria Spelleri)
http://azargrammar.com/materials/index.html
Printable vocabulary worksheets (from Rachel Spack Koch, the co-writer of the Azar CD-ROMs and moderator of the Grammar Exchange Q&A forum)
song lessons designed to reinforce grammar structures using well known songs
(from University of Pittsburgh teacher, Patti Spinner)
grammar explanations as presented on the Azar CD-ROMs and teacher's guides for the Azar series
http://azargrammar.com/grammarSpeaks/index.html
Here's the home page link:
http://www.AzarGrammar.com
Please give us a look, and we'd love to hear from you!
Betty Azar
PS:
ESL in Canada has posted to the Teacher Talk Forum.
Post your question - or answer
http://azargrammar.com/teacherTalk/forums/showthread.php?t=8
**********
Blog URL
http://eslincanada.blogspot.com/
I am delighted to announce the launch of AzarGrammar.com. At last! We've been working to achieve this for a number of years.
My purpose in creating this site has been to provide useful support for teachers. Hopefully, we can pool our experiences, materials and ideas to create a community of teachers worldwide.
The site isn't just for teachers who use Azar textbooks; it's for any teacher using any materials who is interested in any way in the role of grammar in second language instruction.
Click on the link below and you'll find:
a discussion forum moderated by Maria Spelleri
http://azargrammar.com/teacherTalk/forums/
a blog by Richard Firsten ("The Grammar Guy")
http://azargrammar.com/grammarGuy/
various writings and videos of mine about teaching ESL/EFL
(I'd love to hear your responses!)
http://azargrammar.com/authorsCorner/index.html
Teacher-created grammar exercises that can be printed and modified for class use.
http://azargrammar.com/teachersGuides/index.html
Communicative games and activities (including Suzanne Woodward's entire book Fun with Grammar as well as other class-activity materials created by Maria Spelleri)
http://azargrammar.com/materials/index.html
Printable vocabulary worksheets (from Rachel Spack Koch, the co-writer of the Azar CD-ROMs and moderator of the Grammar Exchange Q&A forum)
song lessons designed to reinforce grammar structures using well known songs
(from University of Pittsburgh teacher, Patti Spinner)
grammar explanations as presented on the Azar CD-ROMs and teacher's guides for the Azar series
http://azargrammar.com/grammarSpeaks/index.html
Here's the home page link:
http://www.AzarGrammar.com
Please give us a look, and we'd love to hear from you!
Betty Azar
PS:
ESL in Canada has posted to the Teacher Talk Forum.
Post your question - or answer
http://azargrammar.com/teacherTalk/forums/showthread.php?t=8
**********
Blog URL
http://eslincanada.blogspot.com/
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