Around this time of year, my melting Grammar Man (he’s almost completely melted), starts thinking about how our students are going to “do” on end of year asssessments. My kids haven’t written much this year, and what’s left of GM wants me to teach some “structure”.
So I asked Diana the following question this evening :
Besides reading, what is the best way to get students to write well?
Her answer, which perfectly aligns with Krashen, was a pithy:
More reading.
If the grammar person sitting on your shoulder hasn’t yet been lit up by the Krashen fire, and is sniping at you to teach more “structure”, and bothers you in the same way, ignore it. Do a free write each week, maybe some dictée, and let your students learn how to write in the TL in the real way shown in many studies – by reading more.
It’s the only way. Trust me, I know. ( …0h Grammar Man! Why didn’t I kick your ass 30 years ago?….)