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best practices

11/22/2016

2 Comments

 
Picture
SIX
Best Ways
to Use Grammar Quizzes
by Robert Dobie

It was a very special day when I realized, a few years ago, that - although my learners hate 'REAL' grammar quizzes - they absolutely love 'PRACTICE' grammar quizzes.  Who would have guessed?!

It was this realization that inspired me to create as many practice grammar quizzes as I could (61 quizzes at the time of this blog post).  This in turn led to the creation of the 'All Things Grammar' site.  "Thank you", practice grammar quizzes!

​Below are six 'Best Practices' you can use with practice grammar quizzes.
​
​
​1. Use the Quizzes as Learner Feedback
Many learners can be unsure of their progress, and lack confidence,
especially if the ‘real’ exams and quizzes are few and far apart.  When I
‘teach grammar’ I like to use the quizzes as often as I can, almost on a
daily basis.  It’s a great ‘wrap-up’ to a grammar lesson when my students
get high grades.

However, if many of my students get low grades on the practice quizzes, or if they tend to make mistakes on the same quiz item, it’s a signal to me that I need to spend a little more time on, say, first conditionals, before moving to second conditionals.
 

2. Use the Quizzes as Placement Tests
Many (and hopefully most) language programs will already have level
placement tests for students, so you will know what kind of books and
materials to bring to class.  

​With private one-to-one teaching, this aid may not be available.  You can
use the quizzes to provide a better understanding of your learner’s level –
and which books and materials may be appropriate.
 

3. Correct Quizzes on the Whiteboard
Write one vertical column of numbers from 1 to 8 on the board, and another column from 9 to 16.  Then, for one column, ask one student to write their answers (A, B, or C) next to each number; another student writes the other
​eight answers. 

​Then, before checking the answers, ask your class to look for any possible mistakes – then discuss the results.
 

4. Correct Quizzes with the On-line Quiz Versions
Many (not quite all, yet) of the quizzes have matching online versions (with
the exact same questions and answers).  So, when most of the students
have completed the quiz, you can open the corresponding page and project the
quiz on the smart board. 

​Then, elicit their answers (a show of hands for the best answer if there is disagreement), and select one of the three choices available.  Click on the
'Let's Go' button, and the quiz will provide  a percentage result and other information.  Links to the on-line versions are available right below the
​printable versions (see also the link at the bottom of this page).
 

5. Give Grammar Quizzes for Homework
You’ve taught one or more grammar items in your lesson – what to give
your learners for homework?  Why not give them a grammar quiz?  The
quizzes will challenge and motivate your learners.  Collect and correct.
 
​
6. Use the Quizzes as a Source of Ideas
You may want to (or need to) create your own quizzes based on your own school’s curriculum, so ‘All Things Grammar’ Quizzes can be a great source
​of ideas to inspire you.
​
http://www.allthingsgrammar.com/grammar-quiz-project.html

http://www.allthingsgrammar.com/free-student-test-center.html
Thank you for visiting my second blog post!  

​Check back in another 2 weeks to find out more about
​'All Things Grammar' Word Searches.  :)
2 Comments

best practices

11/8/2016

9 Comments

 
Picture
7 Best Ways to Use Grammar Crosswords
​in the ELT Classroom
                       
​                          by Robert Dobie
​No matter what their language background,
​most students are familiar with crosswords. 

They can signal a fun break from the usual routine
of your class – and at the same time act as a
​valuable learning tool. 
​
​Below are seven practical tips ‘n’ tricks for using
them with your learners.

1.  Make the crossword easier by allowing your learners
to use reference materials.  For example, if they are
completing an irregular past tense crossword, consider
allowing them to use a grammar chart with a list of past
​tense verbs.

 
2.  Make the crossword easier by helping your learners with
all the ‘Across’ words.  Then, let them complete all the
‘Down’ words on their own.

 
3.  Make the crossword easier by acting out the clues. 
For example, with Present Continuous Crossword clue
#4 Across (‘I’m … a ball at the park.), you can tap into your
inner actor and mime the word ‘kicking’.

 
4.  Make the crossword easier by writing all the answers
​(or perhaps just the ‘Across’ words) on the board – but be sure
to write them in random order.

 
5.  Make the crossword into a competitive game by
enlarging and printing out two copies of it to paste on
opposite sides of the classroom.  ‘Team A’ is responsible
for completing all the ‘Across’ words, while ‘Team B’ tries
to complete all the ‘Down’ words.  And, yes, team members
may run over to the other team’s crossword to ‘steal’ looks
at their progress (this will offer letter clues for their own
team)!  The first team to finish is the winner.

 
6. Checking answers Project the answers if you have a
projector, and let your learners check their own work. 
Otherwise, print out a few crossword answer keys and let your learners check their answers in small groups.  Quickly writing them down on the board under an ‘Across’ column and a ‘Down’ column is another possibility - I've tried that - but it's a lot of extra work for you.  Checking answers verbally will use up too much valuable class time.

 
7. Finally, don’t forget to set a reasonable time limit for a
crossword activity (about 15-20 minutes for a typical
grammar crossword on this site).  It’s not advisable to wait
for every single one of your learners to finish, especially when
a few of them may never get the correct answer to that
​last difficult ‘Down’ or 'Across' word.



Comparatives Crossword
​
(CEFR A1 to B1)
Numbers Crossword
(CEFR A1)
Past Simple Crossword
​(CEFR A1 to A2)
Past Simple Crossword - with sentence clues
​
(CEFR A1 to A2) 
Possessive Adjectives & Pronouns
with Subject & Object Pronouns Crossword

(CEFR A1 to A2)
Present Continuous Crossword
​
(A1 to A2)
Present Perfect Crossword
​
(CEFR A2 to B1)
Present Perfect Crossword - with sentences clues
​
(CEFR A2 to B1)
Present Simple Crossword
​(CEFR A1 to A2)
Thank you for visiting my first blog post!

​Check back each month for more '100 Best Practices ​with All Things Grammar'.  ​
​Next time:
'6 Best Ways to Use Grammar Quizzes'
9 Comments

    Author

    Originally from Canada, Robert first began teaching English in 1988 in Taiwan.  Later, he traveled to the UK (in 1998) to study ELT materials design at the University of Leeds as part of his M.Ed./TESOL.

    He has taught in Taiwan, South Korea, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates.
    ​  

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