Grammar

As an ESL teacher, I found teaching grammar to ESL students is tricky because the rules of English grammar are not systematic and predictable. I know teachers need to rethink grammar lesson plans. English grammar is defined as the body of rules that describe the structure of words, phrases, clauses and sentences in the English language. Whether you are a native English teacher or non- native English teacher, you need to prepare different method to explain the basic rules of the language to your students.

When I read the article about Betty Azar, 'Rock Star' of English Grammar. It was written that

“It all started with a question from a student. The year was 1965. Betty Azar was teaching her first English as a Second Language class at Iowa State University.

A student from the Middle East asked Ms. Azar, “Why can’t I put a in front of water?’ As in ‘I drank a water.’”

Ms. Azar did not know the answer.

“I had never thought about it. I thought it was an absolutely wonderful question and from there on out, I wanted to know the answers to the questions that second language learners had about English. I went home and I looked in reference books. I found the answer. And the next day I went to class and I gave him an answer about count and non-count nouns, which I had never heard of. That’s how I started my grammar-teaching career.”

The story about the Betty Azer’s journey made me realize all English teachers must have a good collection of grammar books which they can rely on it. I start collecting grammar books whenever I visit a local bookstore ( Jarir bookstore ) one of the biggest local bookstore in my area, I spend quality time searching for grammar books. Sometimes I buy a new collection or sometimes I just add to my wish list to buy it later.

I believe every English language teacher must have Batty Azer’s classic book “Understanding and Using English Grammar, ” it is available at my local bookstore with its workbook.

A second book I really would like to recommend to all English language teachers is ‘ fundamentals of  English grammar  by Batty Azer (fourth edition) this book has a teacher’s guide with power point CD-ROM with teaching suggestions, grammar notes, expansion activities and  an answer key. This book is a great investment in cheap price for English teachers and it is a life saver.

A third book I strongly recommend to all English teachers is “Practical English Usage” by Micheal Swan. Practical English Usage is a guide into the modern English language usage rather than standard rules of grammar. This grammar book is recommended to writers, teachers and ESL students who want to learn, teach or practice REAL English. Practical English Usage also offers real-life examples such as the grammar of newspaper headlines, the standard form of a business letter and even examples of mobile texting.

This book has guided to the  teacher “how to explain different grammar rules to their students”  I found this book only in 99 Saudi riyals. I always like to hide this book in my bag in case of grammar emergency.

I believe if English teachers want to provide enough guidance to their students, they need to be well equip first, by collecting books and improving their knowledge.

By: Aayesha Qureshi