#92, Article: Grammar vs lexis or grammar through lexis?

ELTWeekly Newsletter Vol. 3 Issue#92 | July 17, 2011

“In this article, informed by the Lexical Approach, I reflect on grammar instruction in the classroom, including my own teaching, and make suggestions on how it can be ‘lexicalised’. I consider the problems with ‘traditional’ grammar teaching before arguing that what we actually need is more grammar input as well as showing how lexis can provide necessary ‘crutches’ for the learner.

For more on the Lexical Approach see other articles on the TE website:

• http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/think/articles/lexical-approach-1-what…
• http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/think/articles/lexical-approach-2-what…

Lexis = vocabulary + grammar

The shift in ELT from grammar to lexis mirrors a similar change in the attitude of linguists. In the past linguists were preoccupied with the grammar of language; however the advances in corpus linguistics have pushed lexis to the forefront. The term ‘lexis’, which was traditionally used by linguists, is a common word these days and frequently used even in textbooks.”

Read the complete article at http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/articles/grammar-vs-lexis-or-grammar-through-lexis