Before You Start: Activating Your Knowledge
Before we begin the course, let’s take a moment to warm up and activate what you already know about grammar, sentence structure, and how learners make sense of language. This short “Before You Start” section is designed to help you connect your existing knowledge with the ideas we’ll be exploring.
To get into the right mindset, here are two short YouTube videos that give a useful refresher on grammar and communicative teaching. They’re aimed at teachers and learners and focus on grammar as a tool for meaning, not just rules.
Recommended Warm-Up Videos
1. What is Grammar (in 5 minutes)
This video gives a simple, clear overview of what grammar actually is and why it matters for communication.
Watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQxrdShOIk8
2. How to Teach Grammar Communicatively
This one introduces the idea of teaching grammar through real-life use and meaningful tasks rather than isolated rule-drilling.
Watch here:
You don’t need to take notes while you watch — just notice anything that resonates with your experience as a teacher. You might even like to jot down one idea you agree with and one you’re not so sure about.
What You’ll Do in This Pre-Lesson
- Complete a short activating-knowledge quiz
- Reflect briefly on how you currently teach grammar and sentence structure
- Identify one or two areas where your learners tend to struggle
- Connect your existing understanding with what you’ll develop further in this course
This isn’t a test; it’s simply a way to surface what you already know and to give you a baseline you can compare with at the end of the course.
When you’re ready, move on to the quiz below and let’s get started.
