The teaching and learning of English grammar in Azerbaijan at the university level. An analysis and appraisal of teachers' and students' views, and teaching materials

Abstract

The current research project aims to fulfill some general and specific objectives. According to the general objectives, my intention is to assess how the teaching of grammar is currently conducted in Azerbaijan. As regards the more specific objectives, I will provide an overview of the main approaches to the teaching of grammar, including activities used for presentation, practice and production. Thus, in Chapter 1 I will describe the general education system in Azerbaijan including Obligatory and Non-obligatory education. Chapter 2 opens with a general definition of grammar and its importance in EFL teaching. It also provides a general account of the different approaches to grammar teaching, and does so by making a general distinction between traditional versus modern approaches. Chapter 3 consists of two parts, one theoretical and the other practical. The first part focuses on the importance of teaching innovations, the role of materials, and in particular describes textbooks and their value in EFL teaching. Chapter 4 describes the design, procedure and results of the questionnaires, interviews and the classroom observation checklists used for the survey of the views of teachers and students regarding grammar presentation and grammar practice preferences, and the way it should be taught in present-day EFL teaching. In Chapter 5, I will set out the general conclusions of the study together with some proposals for improvements in the teaching of grammar and the teaching of English generally in Azerbaijan.