First Steps in Teaching Grammar in Context
Update: 2025-11-17
Description
#223
Have you ever taught a grammar concept and then watched your students completely forget it during a speaking or writing task? It can be frustrating. In this episode, we’re looking at why that disconnect happens and how to bridge it by teaching grammar in context. I’ll share manageable, beginner-friendly steps you can take to make grammar more meaningful, communicative, and effective without rewriting your whole curriculum.
Topics in this Episode:
- Teaching grammar in context makes sense in theory, but putting it into practice often feels messy.
- We’ll look at some practical first steps and scaffolds that make grammar instruction more natural and effective so students build accuracy while staying focused on communication.
- Grammar instruction should be anchored in communication, not separated from it.
- When students learn grammar in the context of meaningful input and purposeful output, it becomes more than just rules. It becomes a tool. A tool they use to understand and to be understood.
- Classroom Strategies:
- The “Grammar-First” Pathway: Use an authentic or teacher-created resource where the structure occurs naturally.
- The “Text-First” Pathway: Choose a reading, listening, or viewing resource and highlight structures that are crucial for making sense of the text.
- Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD Course: First Steps in Teaching Grammar in Context.
A Few Ways We Can Work Together:
- Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual Teachers
- On-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language Departments
- Self-Paced Program for For Language Departments
Connect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:
- Website: wlclassrom.com
- Instagram: @wlclassroom
- Facebook Group: World Language Classroom
- Facebook: /wlclassroom
- LinkedIn: Joshua Cabral
- Bluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.socia
- X (Twitter): @wlclassroom
- Threads: @wlclassroom
Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.
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