Hi George, I liked your web page – thanks. Simple example sentences
following a similar pattern. This sort of approach – without a lot of
testing – seems to me to be a good way to introduce grammar to
students during the very early phases of development. However – as
you point out - people do like to be tested a little so that they can
feel more secure about (i) their understanding of a structure and
(ii) their ability to use it. Learners, of course, need to be given
the opportunity to make an occasional "mistake" … so that everyone
involved in the process can see whether or not real progress is being
made.

The major problem with too much early tesing though, I think, is that
the level of exposure to incorrect sentences can become far too high -
and such a situation may then start to install bad habits rather
than re-inforcing good ones.( as well as being less than fun for all
concerned)

A good early approach to grammar, in my opinion, should involve

1. plenty of explained examples with an expanding vocabulary
2. testing with typical exercises until a single mistake is made
3. a return to plenty more examples with an expanding vocabulary
+ explanations- preferably from the student(s)
4. testing with typical exercises until a single mistake is made
5. a return to plenty more examples with an expanding vocabulary
+ explanations.- preferably from the student(s)
6. Etc etc etc.

This approach involves a ratio of correct input to incorrect input
that is high …and I believe that it should be very very high ,
especially at the early stages. Students in these circumstances are
more likely ( I believe) to

- expand real vocabulary and understanding more quickly
- develop better natural habits
- avoid developing bad habits
- have lots of good example sentences to read through again
- feel more comfortable and confident about the language learning
process
- start communicating more confidently at an early stage … and …
- become more motivated learners.

Anyway, the sort of example sentences that you give on your website
are complementary to an idea that I'm working on for a WS Coursebook –
and I'll post these ideas to the Files section here in the near
future. Hopefully they'll be of interest to you, Costadina and
others.

Best wishes
Will