Grammar for English Language Teachers by Martin Parrott, published by Cambridge University Press (second edition, 2010), is written specifically for people who teach English. It helps teachers understand grammar themselves and anticipate the problems their students will have.
Who Is It For?
- New and trainee teachers, including those on CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL and DELTA courses.
- Experienced teachers who want to refresh their grammar knowledge.
- Native speakers who use English well but cannot always explain why.
How Each Unit Works
- A clear explanation of the form and meaning of a grammar area.
- A section on typical difficulties for learners, often with real learner errors.
- Exercises for teachers to check their understanding, with answers.
Strengths
- Practical focus on classroom problems.
- Explains why learners make particular mistakes.
- Useful for lesson planning and answering tricky questions.
Limitations
- Not designed for learners.
- Less of a quick-lookup reference than Swan.
Verdict
One of the best grammar books for teachers. Many teachers keep it alongside Practical English Usage. For teaching ideas, see teaching grammar to ESL learners.
