Carlos wrote in to ask:
When is the moment to start teaching grammar rules? I think that my senior class (5 years old) is not ready yet to learn grammar rules, but I also think that I should do it if I want to keep progressing.
We always teach grammar right from the very first lesson (starting with imperatives) and we do it with the songs: https://genkienglish.net/songs.htm
But we don’t actually teach the rules nor terminology until much later.
In fact the only real reason to teach the actual “rules” is if they are needed for exams, which of course comes much, much later!
Hope that helps,
Be genki,
Richard
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Wow! 5 years old! I try to still avoid any grammatical terms or rules teaching even when they are 13, though here it gets a bit more difficult.
But even here I can see how they just fade away into another world, when I do explain instead of just use and practice.
I used to start “explaining” when they were around 8, before~but with no effect. The time I used for explaining would have been 10 times more worth if I would have just DONE it.
So, now, using GE I just go on speaking, listening, practicing, and it may be surprising, but kids just naturally know when to use “like” or “Likes” or “I ” “ME” MINE”. Even “went” and “go” it just is in their bodies!
I have small groups of 6 children, some as young as 6 while the oldest are 9 or 10.
I sometimes comment something to let the 9-10 years “know”. For instance with the How much lesson I quickly told them that in “I”ll take it” ‘ll stands for will and what it is. I don’t want the 6-7 yo to be bored with it so usually it takes me less than 20 sec to explain a little grammar point.
Anyway the 10 years old often ask me bits of grammar so I always answer.
Of course they mostly train, practise, sing songs and I think that my Genki kids who have started at 3 or 4 will not need any grammar either but will be really at ease with many grammar points without much explanation around 7-8…
Hi everybody I teach most of my grammar to the kids of 6 to ten while coloring or drawing something related to the topic .in this way I see that they are using their grammar unintentionally and they try to produce more sentences based upon . of course that would be with small groups of four to six students or even better with one.
I think up to a certain age it’s best for children to learn the grammar as a native speaker would, i.e. by using it without having the rules explained to them. I’ve known several bilingual children and all learn very well this way. I think the young child’s brain is able to work out grammar rules and use them without really being aware that they are doing so.
I think we need to explain the grammar to older children because they seem to lose this ability to just work it out as they get older. After explaining one or two rules I give lots of practice on those (speaking, reading, games etc.) before I go on to the next point.
I start pointing out important rules such as the difference between “I like” and “he likes” to my 11 years old students, but I avoid saying the terms like names of tenses, etc. They usually are able to notice if someone makes a mistake, even though they make some too =). But I don’t really put emphasis on grammar with my kids. I let them find the joy in exploring the language instead, and leave grammar teaching to their high school teachers later on.
Well, you said children need rules when the have exams. What if they start having exams since they are seven. What if I have to teach rules to 7-8-9–10–years–old children. I noticed that in this case grammar rules work like math rules. I+x (where x=have), he+y (y=has). It helps with grammar exercises but has nothing to do with speaking. And takes soooo much time. Especially when they don’t know the names of the parts of speech or parts of a sentence in L1. It’s such a waste of time. They don’t like it and get bored, I don’t like it and get angry. And I don’t know how to break the cycle. Where’s the golden mean between being genki and passing writing grammar exams
Hi Natalia,
The key is to start them earlier so that they have the Genki English completed before they start their exam prep. That way they already have a good grasp of English and, more importantly, the confidence techniques to survive the archaic stuff!
I fully agree that teaching grammar rules is dry and boring. TheTPR and GE method using songs and body movements are by far superior to teaching RULES!
The idea is to explain the grammar points by “doing”, and I have yet to find a kid who doesn’t enjoy learning by running and jumping, and arm movements, which I use to teach pronouns with great ease! Studentsleave the class smiling and waiting for more!
Once the grammar rules have been internalized by movement, then, if needed, the rules can be explained.
Hi! I let the kids Get lots of language experience, then set them a detective task and let them discover the rule themselves: In Norwegian we say “1 bil, 2 bilER”. What do we say in English ? One car, two xxx? (Let them have a quick discussion amongst themselves and answer together). Yes carS. So tell me, if there are lots of these(show picture of 4 cats), what do we say? You kids are SO clever!! Discovering the rules themselves means that they usually remember them. Pat.