Inductive vs. Deductive Grammar Teaching

Elements of Grammar Presentations

• Structure: Presented in speech and writing; form and meaning
• Examples: Were the examples representative of the structure?
• Terminology: What term did I use to name the grammar concept?
• Language: In Russian, Uzbek, English, or a combination?
• Explanation: Accurate but not too detailed? Appropriate level for students?
• Delivery: Speaking clearly and appropriate speed?
• Rules: Explicit rules given? Why or why not?

During the Mini-Lesson

• Imagine that you are beginner English students and you know almost nothing of simple past tense verbs
• We are in a beginner-level speaking course
• You may know a little about the simple past tense, but not very much

Let’s begin!

• Let’s begin!
• Remember, you’re BEGINNER-level English students

Simple Past Tense: Deductive

• We use the simple past tense to talk about events that happened in the past
• These could be events that happened a long time ago or events that happened more recently
• The events must have started and been completed in the past

now
future
past
xxxxx

Simple Past Tense: Deductive

• Examples:
• I walked to school yesterday.
• He talked with his friend three days ago
• They played football last weekend.
• She visited Khiva last month.

Simple Past Tense: Deductive

• They watched a movie this morning. (watch  watched)
• She listened to Ariana Grande this afternoon. (listen  listened)
• You cooked too much food yesterday! (cook  cooked)
• He looked at his watch a minute ago. (look  looked)

• We usually add “-ed” to a simple present tense verb

Simple Past Tense: Deductive

• When a verb ends in “-y”, we change the “-y” to ”-ied”
• She carried him home (carry  carried)
• When a verb ends in “-e”, we just add “d” to the end of the verb to make it simple past tense
• I exercised for a long time last Saturday. (exercise  exercised)