Synopsis: The Teacher's Guide to Grammar is unique in focusing directly on the aspects of grammar that teachers need to know. Assuming little or no formal linguistic education, this concise and accessible book provides the necessary background knowledge required in the classroom context. There are detailed chapters on the nuts and bolts of language: words, morphology, sentences, phrases, verbs, and clauses. Other important educational issues concerned in the teaching of English are discussed: the grammatical variation that differentiates standard and non-standard English; how grammar varies in relation to the purpose and audience of a text; and the different grammatical characteristics of different languages.

 Review: This book discusses the teaching of grammar and relates it to the National Curriculum. However, it gave me such a headache. This is not a reflection on the author, Deborah Cameron, who provides sound and practical advice but, on the publisher’s formatting of the book. There are no illustrations and the writing was way too small – I reckon the font was 8pt. I can understand there is a lot of information to convey in one small paperback but, the whole book would benefit from being A4 rather A5 size and by adding some witty comic-style illustrations to cheer the busy teacher up. Grammar is not the most riveting of subjects at the best of times but, the book did not help to stimulate my interest in any way.

Saying this, I believe The Teacher’s Guide to Grammar would be a good resource to dip into for fully-qualified and trainee teachers (and learning support assistants) to clarify issues on particular aspects of grammar they are unsure about - but, you may need a magnifying glass.

2008-02-26