While students may dread grammar, more often than not they want grammar explanations as to why X is correct and Y is not, especially older students. Grammar doesn't have to be difficult and boring. Make sure that when explaining grammar students are aware of the form (such as "to be", past participle, etc) and function (reason for using it) and have examples to look at. Try some of the ways below to teach your students grammar. You will also find some exam taking tips at the end.

Song. If you can find a song with the grammar point that you want to cover, go for it.

Timeline. It visually shows students when things are happening.

Reading. Have students read a text and find the grammar point that you want to work on.

Pictures. Drawings can be fun. You don't have to be an artist, but your students should be able to figure out what you're drawing. If you can't draw, try bringing pictures to class. Pictures can show many things, such as present perfect (what has happened?) or past simple (what was his life like back then?).

Relia. These are real items, such as a backpack, can of soup, stuffed, animal, etc. If you can connect it to grammar, try it.

Personalise it. Make it real to the students. If you're teaching primary kids, you don't want to give them examples such as "Jane has a meeting with her boss." It has to relate to their lives.

Be direct. Come right out and explain the form and function of the grammar point.

Practice and Present. The students are given some of the examples, then told to practice, and finally at the end the teacher gives a grammar presentation.

Discovery. The teacher has them look at a reading they have done before and say whether the sentences are grammatically correct or incorrect. Based on that they create the grammar rules as a class.

Charts. Charts can be used for just about anything, such as form, function, singular, or plural.

Elicit. The teacher says sentences or writes them on the board and has students create the rules based on the example sentences.

Compare L1 and English. Students compare the two. Sometimes they may be exactly the same, other times they may be different. If they're different, students may need more practise.

Compile a list of common mistakes. After teaching students with a certain L1, you'll get to know what common mistakes they make. Even advanced students can make simple mistakes. I have a list of 60 mistakes Spanish speakers make. As a class we go over the mistakes and decide why they're wrong. Any mistakes, grammar, spelling, verb-subject agreement can be used. More often than not the mistakes are made because the student is thinking in their native language.

Specific Tips for Grammar

Look at the subject. Make sure the verb agrees with the subject of the sentence.

Watch the tense. If the sentence is in past, the verb should be in past too.

Don't make simple mistakes. Remember the 3rd person singular "s"!

Know parts of speech. This will help you figure out what information is missing from fill in the blank/gap exercises.

Take notes. When you get the exam/test, write the forms and function at the top so you have something to refer back to.

Sharon de Hinojosa (naturegirl321) has lived and worked in the US, Scotland, Spain, the Czech Republic, China, Korea, and Peru. As well as teaching short-term in Venezuela and Taiwan.

She has created TEFL Tips which has information for teachers from writing a CV, to giving a demo lesson, learning the local language, teaching tips for the classroom and more.

Since living in Peru since August 2004, she wrote The Ultimate Peru List http://www.theultimateperulist.blogspot.com/. With 80 pages it's a comprehensive guide for those living in or moving to Peru.