Course Description
This course engages with basic syntactic structures of English and how to teach them responsively to speakers of other languages. We will simultaneously consider how the concept of grammar can do harm by problematizing ideas of correctness through lenses of race, culture, and other aspects of language and education. We will develop a working knowledge of grammatical structures common in the teaching of English to speakers of other languages and then practice applying the structures and social issues studied to classroom situations (i.e. antiracist pedagogy, student questions, lesson planning, adapting resources, etc.). There will be a strong focus on grammar in use as we analyze authentic discourse (language in use) and design teaching materials that emphasize form, meaning, and use of grammar. Coursework includes class presentations such as teaching demonstrations, grammar quizzes, materials development, reflective writing, and daily readings and discussion.