Teaching English language learners to notice the rules of grammar can be effective in helping them produce spontaneous speech. Explicit instruction of grammar rules, accompanied with structured practice in meaningful conversation, can lead to the knowledge becoming more implicit for the students. As a result of a student's knowledge of grammar rules, he is able to produce more accurate speech in conversations.

Preparation

Prepare a dialogue between two people that highlights the grammar point to be taught.

Create cloze sentences taken from the dialogue, placing blanks in the conversation in the areas that illustrate the grammar point.

Prepare Analyze sheets for each sentence containing a choice that is subject to a grammar rule. Leave blank space at the bottom of the sheet where the students can write their own rule and an additional space in which they can write the official rule.

Make a worksheet containing sentences that correctly and incorrectly use the new grammar rule. The students will have to identify whether or not the sentence is correct.

Create prompts with scenarios so that students can practice writing and speaking using the new grammar point in authentic conversation.

Teaching

Read the prepared dialogue to the students. As you read, periodically stop to ask questions that check the students' comprehension of the conversation. Repeat the reading of the dialogue if necessary for comprehension.

Pass the cloze exercises to the students. Read the conversation again, having the students fill in the blanks in the conversation as you read.

Have the students read the sentences on the Analyze sheet. They are to come up with their own explanation of the grammar rule and write it down. Then tell the students the real grammar rule. Have them write it on their Analyze sheet and compare it with the rule they came up with.

Give the students the worksheet containing the incorrect and correct sentences. Have the students read the sentences to determine whether or not they are are correct. If a sentence is incorrect, they are to correct it. If the sentence is correct, they simply put a "C" next to it.

Using the prepared prompts, have the students create their own conversations using the grammar point that has just been learned. Students should practice their completed dialogues with a partner.