Managing Effective Grammar-Focused Instruction: The Instruction and Reinforcement of Grammar through Games

Abstract

Malaysian ESL learners have often been criticized that their communicative competence is limited
and although they have learned English for at least eleven years at school level and a few years of tertiary education, majority of them still show difficulties in employing the language. The author upholds that grammatical competence is the root of the issue and grammar-focused instruction is crucial and must be executed in an entertaining way gift-wrapped into games. Language instructors’ management skills is vital in establishing effective grammar instruction through games not only to create a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere but also to make language classes more appealing. This paper aims to present an overview of the vital contribution of grammatical competence in acquiring English language communicative competency and proficiency, and the management of effective grammar-focused instruction and reinforcement through games. The author concludes that language teaching and learning in almost zero English context must always be learner-centered, whole language–based, content–centered and cooperative in order to engage them in the pragmatic, functional and authentic use of the target language for meaningful purpose which will upgrade the levels of fluency and communicative confidence.