Grammar doesn’t have to be dry or confusing.
Yet most of us were taught to teach grammar like we’re prepping students for a court case - lots of rules, technical terms, and little context. The result? Students either nod along while secretly zoning out, or they memorise a rule they’ll forget tomorrow.
Let’s change that.
This article will show you how to teach grammar in a way that actually works. No grammar lectures. No tears. Just practical steps that’ll help your students understand, use, and even enjoy grammar.
What is grammar (and why do we teach it)?
Grammar is the engine under the bonnet. You don’t need to see it to drive the car, but without it, nothing works.
Think of grammar as the set of patterns that makes communication possible. It’s not about getting things “right” - it’s about helping your students say what they want to say, clearly and accurately.
We teach grammar so learners can build meaning, not just because it’s on a syllabus.
Why grammar teaching often fails
Let’s be blunt - most grammar teaching is pretty ineffective. Not because teachers are bad, but because of how we were trained.
Here’s what usually goes wrong:
Over-explaining: Teachers give a grammar lecture instead of showing it in action.
No context: Students don’t see when or why to use the grammar.
Too much theory: Students memorise the form but can’t use it naturally.
No real communication: The grammar stays in drills, never reaching conversation.
If this sounds familiar, it’s not your fault. But it is fixable.
How to teach grammar, step-by-step
1. Context first
Don’t start with a rule. Start with a situation.
“I want to teach second conditional.”
Start with: “You wake up with a billion dollars. What would you do?”
That’s your grammar lesson, right there. Let students feel the need for the grammar before they learn how to build it.
2. Meaning before form
Always highlight what the grammar means before what it looks like.
Use timelines for tenses. Use comparisons for conditionals. Let students grasp the concept first.
3. Elicit, don’t lecture
Instead of “Today we are learning the present perfect,” try this:
Teacher: “Have you ever eaten fried insects?”
Students: “Ew, no!” or “Yes, in Thailand!”
Now ask: “Why do we use have you ever eaten?”
Let them notice the pattern. That’s inductive grammar teaching, and it sticks.
4. Use PPP or ESA wisely
PPP: Present → Practice → Produce
Works well with low levels or new structures.ESA: Engage → Study → Activate
Better for higher levels and flexibility.
Both work - what matters is making them interactive, not lecture-based.
5. Use examples, not labels
Instead of explaining past participles, just give three example sentences. Students will see the pattern without the metalanguage. If needed, label it later—but only if it helps.
How to Get AI to Help You Teach Grammar
AI can save you hours, as long as you know what to ask. Here’s what you can do with tools like ChatGPT:
Generate examples
Prompt: “Give 5 present perfect sentences for A2 students, about travel.”Create gap-fill stories
Prompt: “Write a short story with 5 missing verbs using the past simple.”Differentiate tasks
Prompt: “Create a grammar practice task on comparatives for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.”Visualise grammar
Prompt: “Create a timeline graphic for present perfect continuous.”
My teaching grammar top tips
Student errors are gold
When a student says, “I go to cinema yesterday,” don’t just correct it. Use it as the start of a grammar mini-lesson.Stories work wonders
Embed grammar in stories and personal anecdotes. Your students will listen longer and remember better.Keep it visual
Draw timelines. Use gestures. Use realia. Whatever makes the abstract concrete.Teach less, better
Focus on one form at a time. Don’t cram present perfect and for/since and already/yet in one lesson. Break it up.
Common mistakes
Overcorrecting: Constant interruption kills fluency. Prioritise errors that block meaning.
Ignoring meaning: Don’t let students parrot forms they don’t understand.
Skipping practice: Students need to use the grammar multiple times to internalise it.
Too much metalanguage: If your students are confused about “past participle,” simplify.
Final thoughts
Grammar is not the enemy. It’s just structure, and structure supports meaning.
If you want your students to speak fluently and write confidently, teach grammar through meaning, context, and communication. Not through rules on a whiteboard.
Make it real. Make it useful. Make it stick.
And if you’re ever stuck? Let AI or your students’ own curiosity lead the way.
If you liked this article, you’ll love my books:
📝 Lesson Planning for Language Teachers - Plan better, faster, and stress-free.
👩🎓 Essential Classroom Management - Develop calm students and a classroom full of learning.
🏰 Storytelling for Language Teachers - Use the power of storytelling to transform your lessons.
🤖 ChatGPT for Language Teacher 2025 - A collection of AI prompts and techniques to work better, faster.
💭 Reflective Teaching Practice Journal - Improve your teaching in five minutes daily.
Exellent, thank you very much