THE WAY FORWARD AND AN EXITING NEW PROJECT

WHY A GRAMMAR BOOK?

​Over the past six years we have been able to identify the barriers to effective learning in our schools. The biggest barrier to learning is the lack of reading books and textbooks. In some cases 10 children share one textbook. This is linked to a lack of funding in schools. The rural schools that we support are in poverty stricken communities and parents struggle to pay for school fees, let alone textbooks. Grade 7 children in Zimbabwe take a national exam at the end of primary school. Pass rates are dismally low. The pass rate is not so much to do with a lack of understanding but a lack of English skills.
The members and volunteers of the Hwange Schools Project are skilled in writing English textbooks. We have been working on a new concept for a grammar textbook that learners can use from Grade 1 all the way to Form 1. We believe that this resource will make an enormous impact on the schools for the following reasons:

• The book will use a communicative approach: grammar is taught in real and realistic communicative situations
• Grammar is taught through listening, speaking, reading and writing: the skills set out by the Zimbabwean English Language Syllabus 2015-2022.
• Native language speakers tend to make sense of grammar intuitively or unconsciously. When teaching second language users English what matters is how grammar is presented. Our approach is to teach grammar through stories, which are linked to grammar exercises – in this way presenting grammar in a context that makes sense. Presenting grammar in this way creates curiosity and it’s non-threatening – it promotes learning without pressure.
• Each child would be given the book to keep and to take home if they wish. It will be engaging, exciting and fun and written in a way to facilitate intuitive learning. Importantly, the focus will be on contexts that are easy to relate to and understand.
• Learners will keep this resource throughout their school career. It will provide opportunities for learning, understanding, practice and revision.

​Without grammar, clear communication is impossible. Grammar lays the foundation for effective and confident communication. Grammar does need instruction but if instruction is only focused on rules it is extremely hard to understand. Our grammar book will provide a link to the essential skills of listening, speaking, writing and reading. It will also provide plenty of practice in a fun and engaging way – and practice is of paramount importance when learning a new language.
By acquiring grammar skills children develop their writing and speaking skills at a faster rate. It positively affects other learning areas such as comprehension, thinking, reading and expression. Poor grammar may lead to difficulties in writing exams, understanding content subjects such as science and maths, difficulties in applying for jobs, low self-esteem, and poor social interactions. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP US

​While the writing and development of the textbook will be done on a voluntary basis, we need funding for illustrations, layout and printing. We estimate that we will need $4 500 to develop, illustrate and print enough books for all our schools.