Tag Archives: catherine ritz

195: Teaching Grammar For Proficiency with Catherine Ritz and Mike Travers


There are lots of misconceptions about teaching grammar. There are also opinions about whether or not there is a place for teaching grammar in a proficiency-based classroom. In this episode, Catherine Ritz and Mike Travers, authors of Proficiency-Based Instruction: Teaching GRAMMAR for Proficiency, join me to talk about the place of grammar in a proficiency-based classroom.  And yes, there is a place for it.

Topics in this Episode:

  • Misconceptions around teaching grammar and how Catherine and Mike’s book, Teaching GRAMMAR for Proficiency,  addresses them
  • What it looks like to teach grammar in a way that truly supports communication and proficiency, rather than just memorization and drills
  • In a proficiency-based vertical curriculum, how (or should) we incorporate grammar  Should specific grammar structures be explicitly planned for, or should they emerge more organically based on themes and student needs?
  • Examples of an activities and strategies that effectively integrates grammar while keeping communication at the center of learning
  • First steps to take when shifting toward a proficiency-based approach
  • Get your copy of Proficiency-Based Instruction: Teaching GRAMMAR for ProficiencyUse the code ACTFL15OFF to get 15% off the cost of the book.

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