descrptive grammar

[hereiam]

Why should we use descriptive grammar in the classroom? What is the value of it?

Please give me some ideas of this in order to write a paper,thanks!

[Raymott]

Originally Posted by hereiam

Why should we use descriptive grammar in the classroom? What is the value of it?

Please give me some ideas of this in order to write a paper,thanks!

What are your thoughts so far?
Do you think descriptive grammar is of any use in the classroom?

[Teaching English Games]

First a definition from this site on descriptive grammar:

A descriptive grammar looks at the way a language is actually used by its speakers and then attempts to analyse it and formulate rules about the structure. Descriptive grammar does not deal with what is good or bad language use; forms and structures that might not be used by speakers of Standard English would be regarded as valid and included. It is a grammar based on the way a language actually is and not how some think it should be.

Second:
I prefer to teach good language rather than something that is in common usage but is incorrect.

For example one frequently hears a basic error among native English speakers such as this:

There's some apples in the fridge.

So I would not teach that on the basis that it is is widely used.

Shelley
Grammar games for ESL teachers

and

ESL games for private tutors

[Raymott]

Good summary. There's his homework taken care of.