TOPIC 2: APPROACHES IN THE TEACHING OF GRAMMAR (COVERT AND OVERT APPROACHES)

2 major ways to give grammatical information:

Covert Overt

COVERT APPROACH

Grammatical facts are hidden (IMPLICIT) Attention drawn to activity not to the grammar

Main aim: to get students to use the language as much as possible

Activities for the Covert Approach:

a) Interaction activities b) Involving the personality c) Games

Strengths of the Covert Approach

1) Grammar-discovery approach. 2) Opportunity to explore the examples by noticing/observing, making hypotheses and drawing conclusions about the language forms. 3) Leads to raising an awareness about the grammar and a meaningful and active understanding of the rules.

Advantages of the Grammar Discovery Approach

* Students discover grammar for themselves instead of being told.
* Grammar becomes a content to be communicated about. Acquirers develop analytical skills to understand and internalize language rules. Leads to a deeper understanding and awareness of the mother tongue or the first language as well as the target language grammar * Teaches students to be autonomous learners.

OVERT APPROACH

Grammatical rules and explanations are provided Information is openly presented (EXPLICIT)

Activities for the Overt Approach:

Limitations of the Overt Approach

1) Focus on grammar explanation and the absence of any reference to meaning can be detrimental to language acquisition. 2) Know a lot about the language but unable to use in contextualize situations. 3) Focuses on form not meaning. 4) Language use can be tremendously affected by conscious language usage as this may create a stressful environment.