Examines the positive and negative features of traditional, transformational, and notional grammar as they relate to the teaching of French as a foreign language. (AM)

Reflects on the interrelationship between expression and mechanics in writing instruction. (MM)

Teachers should stop teaching traditional school-room grammar entirely. There is no reason to wound youngsters with something they will never learn and never need. Instead, teachers should treat usage and mechanics in gentle, encouraging, nontechnical, and innovative ways. A communication correctly understood by a native speaker is grammatical.…

Argues that news-writing instruction that relies on explicit rules is inadequate because: (1) rule violations are common; (2) some rules work well only in particular situations; and (3) some rules overgeneralize. Identifies the difficulty of teaching students to develop a "good ear" for writing. Concludes that instruction must balance…

The nature of grammar instruction is examined, and traditional instruction as explanation plus "output" practice is questioned. It is suggested that an input-oriented approach would be more effective. A type of input-based instruction called "processing instruction" is outlined. (Contains 30 references.) (Author/LB)

Discusses the subtle changes of meaning evoked by different sentence positions of "hace"-clauses. Analyzes the semantics of "hace" + TIME sentences which are the equivalent of English "ago." A presentation suitable for the beginning learner, using "since" + TIME as the English translation of the "hace"-clause followed by "que" is suggested.…

Critiques Carstair's Paradigm Economy Principle (PEP) with regard to historical linguistics. The principle "one form, one meaning" (OFOM) is contrasted with PEP as providing a more satisfactory explanation for occurrences of morphological change. Latin and Maori paradigms are used as examples. (Author/LMO)

Describes, through letters and narrative, how a teacher struggled with a stubborn adult student to teach him how to write. (SRT)

Relating to her own experiences and to her reading of "Language and Mind" by Noam Chomsky, the author argues for the teaching of traditional grammar. (HOD)

Contains comments on articles by Patrick Hartwell, Robert Scholes, and Gordon Broswell. (EL)

After tracing the history of English grammar, the author defends the teaching of traditional grammar. A suitable English grammar must: (1) recognize the influence of Latin upon English; (2) describe the language while acknowledging its ambiguities; and (3) serve as a reliable guide to usage. (PP)

Discusses rules of pronunciation and grammar in French. Rules of spoken French are contrasted to those of traditional grammar. A visual method is suggested for teaching "oral grammar." (AM)

Argues against the dismissal of grammar teaching, citing research studies which illustrate how grammar instruction improves writing skills. Asserts that teacher training is the crucial issue in effectively teaching traditional grammar. (MM)

Discusses the various functions of grammar in second-language (SL) education, and examines the relationship between discourse and grammar in SL education. Two problems are then examined concerning the relationship between discourse and grammar within grammatical exercises, and with the help of concrete examples, suggestions are offered to better…

Discusses acquiring knowledge implicitly, versus explicitly, as it relates to learning grammar. Codifies three grammar-teaching methods (traditional grammar, sentence combining, and the functional/inductive approach) by plotting them on a metacognitive model of language skills that examines analyzed knowledge and cognitive control. Shows how this…