I had an interesting perspective since I spent most of my time in the exhibit hall talking to teachers about grammar. For years I've been encouraged by the number of teachers who are interested in grammar in spite of the "evidence" that it's bad for students, and that number was higher again this year. Also, many teachers this year said they were excited that NCTE had accepted more grammar sessions. I hope that attendance at these sessions has sent a clear message. I also saw a definite increase in grammar-related materials available in the exhibit hall (although, sadly, most are still exercises on individual concepts). Regardless, these materials were there because teachers have been searching for options. Basically, everything I saw at NCTE this year points unquestionably to a rising interest in grammar.
Dawn

"Spruiell, William C" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Peter,
 
I was only at NCTE for a couple of days, but my impression is that the presentations were packed – I tried to go to Amy Benjamin’s sessions, but it was past standing-room only and into crowded-at-the-door territory. The session I presented in had somewhere around 70-100 people in it (I gave out 97 handouts, but some people may have taken one for someone at another session, etc.). The ATEG meeting itself was much smaller, but that’s possibly because the last shuttle bus was leaving right in the middle of the interest group meetings (and, of course, everyone had had a long day by then). Attendance was very high for this NCTE conference in general, so I’m not sure if the crowds in the grammar sessions constitute any evidence about interest in grammar specifically, but the grammar sessions certainly seemed to be holding their own.
 
One amusing point: In addition to NCTE, many of whose members have devoted countless hours to helping disadvantaged youths, working in underfunded institutions, etc., the convention center was also, at the same time, hosting Donald Trump’s “Wealth Expo” (because, as we all know, wealth is underrated and needs some hype).
 
Bill Spruiell
Dept. of English
Central Michigan University
 
From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Peter Adams
Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2007 10:47 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: NCTE
 
As the NCTE conference winds down, I'd love to hear some reports from those who were there.  How did ATEG fair?  Were there presentations on grammar?  Were they well attended?  Can anyone give a report?



Peter Adams



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