Structural Or
Grammatical Syllabus
What is a syllabus?
A syllabus is a structured plan for a course that outlines ___
What will be taught,
How it will be taught, and
How learning will be evaluated.
It's like a roadmap for both teachers and students, detailing what topics will be
covered and how they'll be organized.
It covers all kinds of learning goals. Overall, it's a clear and authoritative
document that supports effective teaching and learning.
Types of syllabus in language teaching
A. Product-oriented syllabus
B. Process-oriented syllabus
Types of syllabus in language teaching
Douglas Brown (1995) Structural Syllabus
listed seven specific
syllabus types Situational Syllabus
Topical Syllabus
Functional Syllabus
Notional Syllabus
Skills-Based Syllabus
Task-Based Syllabus
Structural Syllabus
Grammatical syllabus
Formal syllabus
Traditional syllabus
Synthetic syllabus
Structural Syllabus
What is a structural or grammatical syllabus?
A structural or grammatical syllabus is a teaching plan that focuses on
teaching the rules and patterns of a language in a systematic and
organised way, starting from basic elements and progressing to more
complex structures.
Structural Syllabus
What is a structural or grammatical syllabus?
The grammatical syllabus has been defined as one that consists of a list of
grammatical items selected and graded in terms of simplicity and
complexity (Nunan, 1988).
Structural Syllabus
What is a structural or grammatical syllabus?
Rod Ellis (1993) also defines it as consisting of a list of grammatical
items, usually arranged in the order in which they are to be taught.
Structural Syllabus
Characteristics
Theoretical Basis:
Language is a system that consists of a set of grammatical rules; learning
a language means learning these rules and then applying them to practical
language use.
Structural Syllabus
Characteristics
Grammar Focus:
It prioritises grammatical structures as the core element of language
learning.
Structural Syllabus
Characteristics
Linear Progression:
Structures are introduced and practised in a step-by-step manner, from
simpler forms to more complex ones.
According to Nunan (2001), language rules are learned in a linear fashion,
and learners should demonstrate complete mastery of one rule before
moving on to the next.
Structural Syllabus
Characteristics
Product-Oriented:
The emphasis is on the end product, which is achieving knowledge and
accuracy in using specific grammatical structures.
Structural Syllabus
Characteristics
Traditional Methods:
It aligns well with traditional teaching methods like Grammar-Translation
and Audio-lingual Methods.
Structural Syllabus
Characteristics
Limited Communication Focus:
While some communication practice might be included, the overall
emphasis is on mastering structures rather than using them for real-world
communication.
Structural Syllabus
Characteristics
Emphasis on Accuracy:
There is a strong emphasis on accuracy in language production, with a
focus on correct grammatical usage and sentence construction.
Structural Syllabus
Characteristics
Drill and Practice Activities:
Instructional activities often include drills, exercises, and practice tasks
designed to reinforce mastery of language structures through repetition
and application.
Structural Syllabus
Characteristics
Teacher-Directed Instruction:
The teacher typically takes a lead role in instruction, guiding learners
through structured lessons and providing feedback on language usage.
Structural Syllabus
Characteristics
Assessment of Language Proficiency:
Assessment methods focus on evaluating learners' ability to use and
apply language structures accurately in various contexts, such as written
exercises, oral presentations, or comprehension tasks.
Structural Syllabus
Characteristics
Foundational Approach:
It serves as a foundational framework for language learning, providing
learners with essential building blocks for communication and language
acquisition.
Structural Syllabus
Content:
The Structural Syllabus generally consists of two components:
A list of linguistic structures, that is, the grammar to be taught, and
A list of words, that is, the lexicon to be taught.
Structural Syllabus
Advantages:
Systematic Approach/Clear Progression:
A structural syllabus provides a clear and logical sequence in language
learning progression, starting from basic structures and gradually
advancing to more complex ones. This helps learners build a solid
foundation in the language.
Structural Syllabus
Advantages:
Facilitates Accuracy:
Emphasis on grammar and structure helps learners develop accuracy in
language usage, leading to clearer communication and writing.
Structural Syllabus
Advantages:
Suitable for Beginners:
A structural syllabus is particularly beneficial for beginner learners
who need to grasp fundamental grammar rules and sentence structures.
Structural Syllabus
Advantages:
Simplicity in Teaching and Testing:
Teaching and testing are relatively simple because teachers deal with
discrete-point knowledge and skills. The teachers need not be fluent in the
language they teach since grammatical explanations and drills do not
require a high level of language proficiency.
Structural Syllabus
Advantages:
Enriches basic vocabulary:
While focusing on grammatical structures, a structural syllabus also
enriches students' basic vocabulary, as vocabulary acquisition is often
integrated into language teaching alongside grammar instruction.
Structural Syllabus
Advantages:
Focused Learning Objectives:
The syllabus outlines specific language structures that learners are
expected to master, providing clear learning objectives and goals.
Structural Syllabus
Advantages:
Standardised Testing:
Many standardised language tests heavily focus on grammar. A
structural syllabus can help prepare students for these exams.
Structural Syllabus
Disadvantages
Neglects Communicative Competence:
A significant drawback of the structural syllabus is its tendency to
overemphasise language structure, often neglecting the development
of communicative competence.
Structural Syllabus
Disadvantages
Limits Creativity:
It hampers the student’s creative side because it confines him/her
within the walls of some specific rules.
Structural Syllabus
Disadvantages
Promotes passive learning:
This teacher-centred approach can lead to passive learning
experiences where students have limited autonomy and involvement
in their learning journey.
Structural Syllabus
It is a product-oriented and content-based syllabus and one of the
most common types of syllabus. Still, today we can see the contents
pages of many course books all over the world set out according to
grammatical items.
