How to take advantage of a learner's narrative to capture grammar mistakes and correct them.Here's an example that relates to noun and verb agreement and how to correct mistakes with a grammar grid.
In the previous post [link] I described the first stage of the Language Experience Approach: capturing errors. In stage two, assessment, you discovered certain grammar weaknesses. Here they are:
The introduction of the rules of noun-verb agreement can frustrate your learner. The rule states that singular nouns takes singular verbs, while plural nouns takes plural verbs.
How to minimize the usage of such intimidating words as singular and plural, noun-verb agreement? Use a grammar grid! It's likely your learner will find the method both exciting and thought-provoking!
You can choose your own way of creating a grammar grid. Try this: a three column table similar to the one below:
I would give the name to the first column as the verb (one), the middle column as the noun, the last column as the verb (many). In these columns I have jotted down the words places, is, it, have, people, is. The agreement of these words caused a difficulty to my learner.
In the verb (one) column I jotted down the verbs in their singular form is, has, is. In the verb (many) column I put corresponding verbs in plural form: are, have, are. In the middle column I added nouns which have disagreed to these verbs. They are place, it, people.
Showing this grid to my learner, I will model them the way to work with it, asking them the question:
Does "places" mean one or many ?
Let's assume that my learners answers, 'many'.
My next question will be,
Can you please circle the verb in this line which denotes "many" too?
Your learner will need to circle the verb are.
After modelling the way of working with the grid to your learner, you will ask them to find the verbs which agree with other nouns themselves. If the learner will fail to do this task, you can continue going over with them. You can place other verbs and nouns in the grid for further practice to your learner.
Working with the grid your learner will see the logic of the rule and will be more careful while expressing their thought next time.
You can create a grid to show any grammar rule with the examples from your learner's transcript. You won't probably make a perfect grid at the beginning. You can draft it as many times as you want until you create a perfect, visual and problematic vision of a certain rule.
Happy Tutoring!
ENGLISH AT LARGE
Literacy and Learning for Life
Join the conversation
In the previous post [link] I described the first stage of the Language Experience Approach: capturing errors. In stage two, assessment, you discovered certain grammar weaknesses. Here they are:
It havePeople is
Streets isYour learner has trouble with noun and verb agreement.
The introduction of the rules of noun-verb agreement can frustrate your learner. The rule states that singular nouns takes singular verbs, while plural nouns takes plural verbs.
How to minimize the usage of such intimidating words as singular and plural, noun-verb agreement? Use a grammar grid! It's likely your learner will find the method both exciting and thought-provoking!
A grammar grid is an effective way to teach grammar. The beauty of this approach is that in your learner is no longer a passive consumer of your grammar knowledge but an active and independent thinker.
You can choose your own way of creating a grammar grid. Try this: a three column table similar to the one below:
Verb (one)
|
Noun
|
Verb (many)
|
has
is
is |
In the verb (one) column I jotted down the verbs in their singular form is, has, is. In the verb (many) column I put corresponding verbs in plural form: are, have, are. In the middle column I added nouns which have disagreed to these verbs. They are place, it, people.
Showing this grid to my learner, I will model them the way to work with it, asking them the question:
Does "places" mean one or many ?
Let's assume that my learners answers, 'many'.
My next question will be,
Can you please circle the verb in this line which denotes "many" too?
Your learner will need to circle the verb are.
After modelling the way of working with the grid to your learner, you will ask them to find the verbs which agree with other nouns themselves. If the learner will fail to do this task, you can continue going over with them. You can place other verbs and nouns in the grid for further practice to your learner.
Working with the grid your learner will see the logic of the rule and will be more careful while expressing their thought next time.
You can create a grid to show any grammar rule with the examples from your learner's transcript. You won't probably make a perfect grid at the beginning. You can draft it as many times as you want until you create a perfect, visual and problematic vision of a certain rule.
Happy Tutoring!
Tatyana Pavlova
Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics/ Bashkir State University
MA Education/ESL 2014, Cambridge College
Literacy and Learning for Life
Join the conversation
No comments:
Post a Comment