Teaching Tense Using Visual Comparisons

The question describes a classroom scenario where a teacher uses two pictures of the same person – one from 15 years ago and one recent – to discuss the person's past and present appearance and habits. The goal is to teach the concept of tense in English grammar. This method involves comparing different time frames (past vs. present) to illustrate how language changes to reflect time.

Understanding Pedagogical Grammar

Let's look at the options to see which best describes this teaching approach:

• Prescriptive Grammar: This focuses on the 'correct' way to use language, often setting strict rules. The scenario doesn't emphasize rule enforcement but rather illustration.
• Structural Grammar: This focuses on the patterns and forms of language, like sentence structure and word forms. While tense is part of structure, the teaching method itself isn't solely about analyzing sentence structure.
• Pedagogical Grammar: This refers to grammar as it is taught. It emphasizes making grammar accessible and understandable for learners, often using practical examples, context, and communicative activities. The method described – using visual aids (photos) and discussion about past and present situations to teach tense – is a prime example of a pedagogical technique designed for effective language learning. It focuses on the 'how-to' of teaching grammar.
• Rule-based Grammar: Similar to prescriptive grammar, this approach relies heavily on explicitly stating rules. The scenario uses context and comparison more than just stating rules about past and present tenses.

Why Pedagogical Grammar Fits

The teacher's strategy directly aligns with Pedagogical Grammar because:

• It uses a communicative approach by initiating a talk about the person's life.
• It employs visual aids (pictures) to make the abstract concept of time and tense more concrete.
• It focuses on the meaning conveyed by different tenses (past vs. present) through real-life examples (appearance, habits).
• The core idea is the method of teaching grammar effectively, which is the essence of pedagogical grammar.

Therefore, the teacher is using principles of Pedagogical Grammar to teach tense by creating a relatable context and using comparison.