Improving writing skills — the role of grammar

Research conclusively shows that the most rewarding way to help learners improve their grammar skills in writing is to use the learners' written language as a basis for discussing grammatical concepts. Researchers agree that it is more effective to teach punctuation, variety of sentences and their use in the context of writing than to approach a topic by teaching individual skills. Effective grammar teaching starts with what learners already know about grammar and helps them use that knowledge in the writing process. By combining their knowledge of speaking with writing, teachers can demystify abstract grammatical terminology so that students can write — and read — with greater competence and confidence. Since writing is complex and difficult for many students, teachers should focus on the grammatical concepts that are needed to convey meaning clearly. The work aims to teach students grammatical concepts to improve their writing skills.