📖 Overview
Grammar for English Language Teachers presents core English grammar concepts with a focus on pedagogy and classroom application. The text includes examples, explanations, and common student errors for each grammar point covered.
The book contains exercises and teaching suggestions that help instructors anticipulate learner difficulties and develop effective ways to present grammar concepts. Practice activities and discussion questions appear throughout each chapter, allowing teachers to test their understanding and reflect on instructional approaches.
Clear organization and visual elements like charts and diagrams make the material accessible for both new and experienced teachers. Each section builds systematically on previous concepts while maintaining links between related grammatical topics.
The text functions as both a practical teaching resource and a deeper exploration of how English grammar operates as a system, helping teachers develop their own grammatical awareness alongside their teaching skills.
👀 Reviews
Teachers and students report using this grammar reference both for lesson planning and self-study. Many readers note its clear organization and practical examples that demonstrate grammar concepts in context.
Likes:
- Tasks and discovery activities help readers internalize concepts
- Covers common student errors and teaching challenges
- Cross-referencing between related topics
- Visual presentation with charts and diagrams
Dislikes:
- Some find the layout cluttered and hard to navigate
- Advanced terminology can overwhelm beginners
- Index could be more comprehensive
- Limited coverage of pronunciation patterns
One reviewer called it "more digestible than Murphy but more detailed than teaching handbooks." Another noted it "fills the gap between basic grammar guides and linguistic textbooks."
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.24/5 (190 ratings)
Amazon US: 4.6/5 (168 ratings)
Amazon UK: 4.7/5 (143 ratings)
Several reviewers mention keeping it as an ongoing reference rather than reading cover-to-cover.
📚 Similar books
Practical English Usage by Michael Swan
This reference guide presents grammar points through real-world examples with explanations designed for teaching applications.
The Teacher's Grammar of English by Ron Cowan The book connects linguistic theory to classroom practice through problem-solving tasks and teaching suggestions for grammar instruction.
Teaching English Grammar by Jim Scrivener This resource bridges the gap between grammar knowledge and teaching methodology with lesson frameworks and classroom activities.
About Language: Tasks for Teachers of English by Scott Thornbury The text develops teachers' language awareness through analysis tasks and teaching implications for grammar structures.
Grammar Practice Activities by Penny Ur This collection provides ready-to-use grammar teaching activities with theoretical foundations and practical classroom applications.
The Teacher's Grammar of English by Ron Cowan The book connects linguistic theory to classroom practice through problem-solving tasks and teaching suggestions for grammar instruction.
Teaching English Grammar by Jim Scrivener This resource bridges the gap between grammar knowledge and teaching methodology with lesson frameworks and classroom activities.
About Language: Tasks for Teachers of English by Scott Thornbury The text develops teachers' language awareness through analysis tasks and teaching implications for grammar structures.
Grammar Practice Activities by Penny Ur This collection provides ready-to-use grammar teaching activities with theoretical foundations and practical classroom applications.
🤔 Interesting facts
🔷 Martin Parrott's teaching expertise spans across multiple continents, including extensive work in West Africa, where he helped develop English language programs for local teachers.
🔷 The book was first published in 2000 and quickly became a core text in CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) courses worldwide.
🔷 Despite being a comprehensive grammar guide, the book intentionally avoids technical linguistic terminology wherever possible, making it accessible to new teachers.
🔷 Each chapter includes "What learners need to know" sections that highlight common student errors and misconceptions across different language groups.
🔷 The book's exercises ask teachers to analyze their own native speaker intuitions about grammar, helping them understand why certain rules that seem obvious to them might be challenging for students.