| You begin to speak, "Today's grammar focus lesson | | | | doll, a flashlight, bag or bottle can do wonders for a |
| will be on ..." Your EFL learners groan aloud interrupting | | | | simple dialogue. By all means do make a "production" |
| you. "Oh no, grammar again?", they chant, almost in | | | | out it. Not only will your learners not object, they'll likely |
| unison. You're not exactly all that enthused yourself, | | | | ask, "Can we do this again, teacher?" You answer of |
| but what can you do? It's in the program. | | | | course, will be ... |
| Grammar teaching is almost always in demand and | | | | Classic Literature |
| often difficult to tackle. In the article, "Three Fun Ideas | | | | Everybody loves Shakespeare. "Romeo and Juliet" |
| for Teaching Grammar to TEFL Learners" we | | | | has been repeated in theme countless times. The |
| discussed the use of such aids as games, movie clips, | | | | question, "Can I have more, Sir?" starts off a series of |
| radio and CDs / DVDs to generate fun, interesting | | | | events that has spawned movies, documentaries, |
| grammar-teaching activities. But let's not stop there. | | | | children's versions, plays and idealism that has intrigued |
| Another useful source for creating grammar | | | | millions for centuries. The list of great books is more |
| reinforcement activities learners will love comes from | | | | than lengthy enough to generate scores of ideas and |
| the heat of language itself - Literature. "All the world's a | | | | opportunities for productive grammar work with your |
| stage" if you have access at all to contemporary | | | | learners. Let Alice and her friends, characters from |
| novels or classic literature. Here are some ideas for | | | | Shakespeare and fairy tales give you the hand you |
| using literature to break out of a slump. We'll start with | | | | need in getting grammar in context across to your |
| contemporary novels. | | | | learners. You or your learners can create a dialogue |
| Contemporary Novels | | | | between Hansel and Gretel, the three little pigs and the |
| From Harry Potter to Kinsey Millhone and Jack Ryan, | | | | wolf, Cinderella and her Stepmother or the Prince. The |
| there is a treasure-trove of characters waiting to | | | | list could go on and on. You see? "It's elementary, my |
| teach your language learners English grammar. Since | | | | dear Watson." |
| these, and many other characters, are so willing, why | | | | By the way, if you don't know who Harry Potter is, |
| should you do it? If you're like me - you let Harry, | | | | well what planet have you been living on? Kinsey |
| Kinsey or Jack do the job for you. They don't even | | | | Milhone? She's the fiercely independent lady detective |
| ask for part of your pay. Now isn't that nice of them? | | | | created by Sue Grafton. Author Tom Clancy |
| Here's what you do. Pick a page or passage. Work | | | | produced CIA operative Jack Ryan who rambles, |
| the grammar in it. Make it into dialogues, scenes and | | | | sometimes rather recklessly, through several of his |
| skits. Practice it aloud. Change it. Rewrite it. Have fun | | | | novels. Let these and countless other characters |
| with it. By the way, use props, realia, costumes, sound | | | | provide the fodder for dialogues your learners will |
| effects and sets if you can. They needn't be elaborate | | | | relish. Leave that dry course book stuff for the lames. |
| to be effective. A cape, a hat, a cane, a telephone, a | | | | |