Teachin’ Each Other | Basic Grammar

3 Lesson Project On Grammar Basics.
Divide the class into groups of four. Give the students a number, so as to mix up the class into newly formed alliances. Every group gets one tense to work on.
 
For instance:
Group 1 =  Present Simple / Continuous 
Group 2 =  Present Perfect Simple / Continuous
Group 3 =  Future Simple / Continuous
Group 4 =  Past Simple / Continuous
Group 5 =  Past Perfect Simple / Continuous
Group 6 =  Passive Voice 
Group 7 =  Gerund [or any other division you might want to make]
 
Giving the class instructions and making sure there are clear parameters is fairly important now. They need to know where they are allowed to work, they have to consult each other in an orderly fashion, make sure each group member contributes to the task. And they need to consult each other in English as much as possible! Are they allowed to use cell phones? Do you want them to make a digital presentation or other … etc.
 
Each group will now commence their work on the presentation, which is to be presented in front of the class by 2 of the group members who will be appointed later on by the teacher. [Do not tell them in advance who will present, because this might lead to inefficiency and such]. Also not telling them who will ensure the best effort will be put in since it might be them having to teach their own class!
 
The presentation will be like a real lesson. Students need to take notes and work on the assignment the group came up with. The teacher will remain responsible for the content of the lesson, so should any mistakes have slipped in it’s up to her/him to correct them.
 
The following information should be in the presentation:
▪ What does the verb look like? (conjugated regular and irregular verbs for clarity)
▪ When is the verb used? Do not focus on the exceptions too much, first they must “get” the main rule.
▪ Example sentences and practice sentences.
For the rest of the lesson they can work on this assignment. Do encourage them to not immediately pick up their textbooks but try to make them think of the answers themselves first.
 
Lesson 2. They get to finish up their work, whether it be using computers or not. They need to come up with very clear practice sentences. They should keep at it, making their presentations as clear as possible and this lesson is really the “get at it and work hard” bit of the project.
 
Lesson 3. Presentation time. The teacher will now ask 2 students per group to come forward and present their findings to the class. The class will take notes and cooperate in answering any questions and filling in all exercises presented to them. If all was correct the teacher can then provide a mark for the group. It might be advisable to also weigh in how they worked together as a team. 
 
This is a great way to get them more involved in their grammar without them leaning back and consuming too much, which doesn’t work as we all know. They need to really understand what it is they are going to teach the class. And that fact alone will prompt them to keep at it until they fully understand. Also, peer-to-peer learning is another great way to break with monotony.

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