I am new to this listserve.  I hope I'm in the right placxe to get answers
to some of my questions and concerns about teaching grammar K-12.
 
I have been trying to find any research, old or new, that addresses the age
or develpomental factors that may be involved in learning grammar.  After
teaching English in a middle school for nine years, I have observed, along
with my colleagues, that many students just begin to understand grammar in
9th grade.  I tend to think that their exposure to foreign languages for
first time in 8th and 9th grade gives them a new perspective on how to look
at language.  We have also discussed the possibility of a psychological
developmental factor being involved.
 
Is there ANY research out there on any of these ideas?  If not, is there
anyone out there who thinks it is worth researching these ideas? Do you want
to do it?
 
The results of such research might help answer the questions that keep
coming up for pre-secondary teachers, especially from grades 3-12.  Why do
students need grammar?  When is it best to start teaching grammar?  Which
grammar concepts should be taught at which age or developmental level? How
much time do we really need to spend on grammar?  Are there some people who
just NEVER get it?  Should be accept that, and if so, what might be the
consequences for that student?
 
I guess you get the idea. There is a great deal of frustration among puiblic
school English teachers who keep teachinmg parts of speech and grammar rules
year after year, only to have our students continually complain of confusion
and lack of understanding.  More time put into repetition and practice
rarely seems to result in a proportionate increase in understanding and
performance.
 
I look forward to getting some other views on all this.
 
Sharon Schwartz
English Teacher - Grades 8&9
 
 
 
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Sharon Schwartz
Salisbury Township School District
1140 Salisbury Road
Allentown,  PA  18103
(610) 797-2062
FAX (610) 791-9983
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