Qualifications of the Author
The article was co-authored by three teachers and experts in the field of grammar. Constance Weaver is one of the leading authors in the field of grammar teaching. Carol McNally has extensive experience in school teaching and also runs an educational channel on the YouTube platform. Sharon Moerman is a seventh-grade teacher.
Main Purpose of the Text
In the center of the article is the question of the need to teach grammar in schools and academies, but at the same time, the controversial autonomy of this discipline is discussed.
Relation to Other Works
The article draws heavily on the work of Harry Noden in his book Image Grammar, which offers a more creative approach to language and grammar learning. The novelty of the article is the experience of practical application and the author’s processing of many theories proposed by Noden, which through the article confirm their ability to modify and practical effectiveness (Weaver et al., 2001). The article contains reports on the experience of teaching grammar by the authors of the article and their original approaches.
The standpoint of the Author
According to the authors, teaching grammar should be included in the broader context of other activities. The authors state that more than a set of rules, students need to know how to use options in order to really excel at writing (Weaver et al., 2001). The authors of the article argue that by offering unconventional, creative strategies for learning grammar in context, they have significantly expanded the language capabilities of students (Weaver et al., 2001). By learning grammar not as rules but as opportunities, students were able to better capture images and details in their written narratives.
Audience
This article can be perceived as a practical guide for language teachers who need strategies to improve their practice. The difficulty level of the article can be described as moderate since it combines the theoretical calculations of linguists with the practical experience of a language teacher.
Summary
The article offers original approaches to teaching but is also interesting from a theoretical point of view, offering an original perspective on the multidisciplinary perception of science.
Reference
Weaver, C., McNally, C., & Moerman, S. (2001). To grammar or not to grammar: That is not the question! Voices From the Middle, 8(3), 17-34.