Dr. Sarah Sahr: the Director of Professional Learning & Research at TESOL International Association

Grammar. What can I say? Grammar. One of those necessary evils we encounter. So often, teachers retreat to “traditional” classroom activities when teaching grammar. However, there are several cooperative and/or communicative things we can do in the classroom to engage our students in grammar lessons. Below are just a few grammar games to show our students the fun side of grammar.

Group Table Games:

1. Word Sort – Create small cards with the 8 parts of speech and several more cards, at least 5 per part of speech, with general words. Have students group the cards with the correct part of speech. If you want to give a bit of a challenge, have students define each part of speech first on the back of the small card.

2. Sentence Scrambles – Create long, compound-complex sentences and have students put the words in order. For example:

The girl who danced at the party, is very tired and her feet hurt.

It might be a good twist to just give a simple sentence first, The girl is very tired. Once groups get that sentence correct, give them the next group of words, and her feet hurt. Once that is complete, add the clause, who danced all night.

To make it more challenging, add more than one sentence to the mix.

Learning English is challenging and very fun. After school had finished, my family took a trip to the south of France. Late at night, the stars shine brightly.

Note: Students should be able to make multiple combinations of sentences. Make sure they know that there are 4 complete sentences and all words must be used.

3. Creating Sentences – Give students a subject, a verb and an object. In groups, students must create 9 sentences, using each of the 9 tenses, i.e, cat, to chase, mouse.

a. The cat chases the mouse.

b. The cat is chasing the mouse.

c. The cat has chased the mouse.

d. The cat chased the mouse.

e. Etc.

4. Matching conditionals – Cut out the conditional sentences below and have students match the “if” clause with the other part of the conditionals:

If today is Wednesday, tomorrow is Thursday.

If I can do it, anyone can do it.

If it is raining, the streets will get wet.

If the exam is hard, many students are going to fail.

If Mary does well on the exam, she will get an A in the class.

If Fred studies, he should pass the exam.

If George had enough money, he would buy a new car.

If I won the lottery, I would buy you a present.

If she knew the answer, she would tell us.

Once finished, ask students to label the sentences as first, second or third conditional (there is 3 of each).