Caught in the middle: grammar, textbooks, and the Japanese high school
Stephen Pihlaja · Open Research Online - ORO (The Open University) · 2008
In many high schools, the grammar textbook seems like an immovable fixture in English education. This article discusses the possibility of using Data Driven Learning (DDL) in high school environments which are resistant to change. After considering some of the pragmatic difficulties with using student-based learning while still employing set textbooks, the article proposes using a hybrid of teaching methods to introduce DDL in the classroom. By using both the textbook and information from the British Nation Corpus, students can be taught to explore grammar rules on their own terms while still meeting the requirements of learning the required grammar. Finally, the article discusses changes in implementing such a program and practical steps teachers can take to move forward in using DDL in their classrooms.