I read mmorf’s ESL Lesson Plan blog weekly and one post was especially interesting. The post was entitled, “Punctuation Saves Lives.” In the Language Learning & Teaching courses I’ve taken, it is understood that punctuation is one of the hardest forms for English language learners to learn (that and articles, for those who are interested!) mmorf gives the example, “Let’s eat, Grandma!” versus “Let’s eat Grandma!” and points out how utterly important punctuation is.
As a future ESL/EFL teacher, I am constantly looking for tips and tricks about teaching ELLs (English Language Learners). I think that posting the two sentences above and asking students to identify the difference would be an inventive and fun way to point out the importance of punctuation (the students would think it’s funny, too). Perhaps then, students might pay closer attention to punctuation.
Of course, this isn’t limited to ELLs. Punctuation is an important part of writing and composition, and any student practicing these constructs would benefit from extra attention to punctuation.
mmorf claims the best way to practice punctuation is to flood input- have the students read, read, read and write, write, write! A great way to do this is to incorporate attention to punctuation in any lesson plan. If the students are reading an informational piece for comprehension, perhaps a teacher might take a moment to point out certain punctuation to the class.
Overall, I enjoy reading the ESL Lesson Plan blog weekly and have found really great tips and strategies in teaching ESL.
Stephanie said,
April 5, 2010 at 2:05 am
I am reading this same blog! I thought this also was a creative way to show students how important punctuation is. I love how most of the tips in this blog could be used for a wide range of ELL’s. As a future teacher of ELL’s I feel that punctuation has a lot to do with our English language. You have to read with the emotion the punctuation suggests otherwise the meaning of the statement can be completely lost! So I feel this is a wonderful way to show your students how punctuation can dramatically change the meaning of the sentence and it can lead to miscommunication.
schmi355 said,
April 6, 2010 at 2:46 am
Reading articles about teaching ESL always amaze me. Not only does it help me understand what ESL teachers are doing, it reminds me of the struggles of ESL students. If I ever have ESL students in my classroom, I hope I can remember all of these articles that I have read in this class and in other classes I have taken at MSU. I hope I can remember all that I’ve learned about the struggles they have to overcome in order to be at the same pace as their peers. Thanks for posting articles like this; they help me to remember that I really do need to see all of my students as individuals with their own struggles and successes.
jacob134 said,
April 7, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Punctuation is an integral part of fluency. Fluency can be an important determinate of comprehension. Vicious cycle.
But part of what helps fluency (and consequently punctuation) is…just reading a lot. And reading aloud.
And modeling reading out loud.
And doing choral readings (all together) or echo readings (T: “Let’s eat, Grandma!” S: “Let’s eat, Grandma!” etc).
Poooooetry!
Read it out loud! And again! And change the punctuation…to change the meaning.?::!…
I hope that this helps some.