Teaching Grammar Online: The Do’s and Don’ts You Need to Know

Let’s be honest—teaching grammar online can feel a little tricky at times. You want your students to stay engaged, understand the rules, and actually enjoy learning. But when you're sitting behind a screen, juggling tech tools, managing breakout rooms, and explaining the difference between “its” and “it’s”—it can be a lot.

If you’re teaching grammar online or planning to start, this blog is here to help. Think of it as your friendly guide to what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to virtual grammar lessons. I’ll walk you through the do’s, the don’ts, and sprinkle in a few tips you can start using today.

✅ The Do’s of Teaching Grammar Online

1. Do Make It Interactive

We all know grammar isn’t exactly every student’s favorite topic. But add a bit of fun—like a quiz on Kahoot or a matching game on Quizlet—and suddenly, everyone’s clicking, laughing, and learning.

🎯 Think of grammar as a game, not a chore. The more interactive it is, the more likely your students will stay interested.

Start your lesson with a poll or a quick “this or that” grammar challenge. It sets the tone and gets everyone thinking.

2. Do Keep It Real

Forget boring grammar drills. Bring grammar to life by connecting it to things your students already do—texting a friend, writing a social media post, or journaling.

📝 For example, instead of just explaining the past tense, ask them to write a few lines about what they did over the weekend.

Students will understand grammar better when they see how it helps them express real thoughts, in real life.

3. Do Use Visuals (A Lot!)

When it comes to explaining tricky topics like verb tenses or clauses, visuals are your best friend. Use color-coded examples, charts, and slides that are clean and easy to follow.

🧠 Students often remember a good diagram better than a long explanation.

Try using a whiteboard tool or even just Google Slides to show grammar in action. Keep it clear and colorful.

4. Do Get Students Talking

It’s easy for students to go silent in an online class—especially when the topic is grammar. So ask them questions, call on names, encourage them to give examples.

💬 When students explain a grammar rule or create a sentence themselves, they’re far more likely to remember it.

Use breakout rooms for peer tasks, or let them be the “teacher” for a few minutes.

5. Do Keep Things Simple

It’s tempting to explain every single rule all at once. But less is more. Focus on one concept per lesson, and make sure students really get it before moving on.

✨ Keep your examples short, your instructions clear, and your pace relaxed.

Sometimes, the simplest grammar lesson ends up being the most effective one.

❌ The Don’ts of Teaching Grammar Online

1. Don’t Just Throw Worksheets at Them

Worksheets have their place, but let’s be real—they can get boring fast. If your whole lesson is just filling out a PDF, students will lose interest.

🙅 Mix things up with games, discussions, and creative writing tasks.

Instead of doing exercises alone, turn them into a class quiz or a competition. Add a timer for excitement!

2. Don’t Skip Feedback

Students need to know if they’re on the right track. A quick comment or tip goes a long way.

🗣 Try saying: “Great use of the present perfect, but let’s fix the subject-verb agreement here.”

You can even leave voice notes or record a quick Loom video—it feels more personal and engaging than just written feedback.

3. Don’t Let Tech Issues Ruin the Flow

Tech glitches are part of online life. The internet goes down, links don’t work, and audio cuts out. It happens.

🔧 Be ready with a backup plan. Always have a Plan B.

Keep an offline worksheet handy, or know how to explain the concept without relying on that YouTube video.

4. Don’t Turn It Into a Lecture

If you're the only one talking, it’s easy for students to tune out. Make your lessons feel like a conversation, not a lecture.

🧍‍♀️🧍‍♂️ Let students help build examples, correct sentences, or even explain grammar rules in their own words.

Use fun phrases like, “What do you think? Does this sentence sound right to you?” to keep them engaged.

5. Don’t Forget Everyone Learns Differently

Some students learn best by watching, others by doing, and some just need to talk it out.

🎨 Offer a variety of activities—videos, games, discussions, writing tasks.

Let them choose how they want to show what they’ve learned. This flexibility makes grammar feel a lot less scary.

🎯 Quick Recap

✅ Do’s	❌ Don’ts
Use games and visuals	Rely only on worksheets
Make grammar real and useful	Skip giving feedback
Involve students in the lesson	Talk the whole time
Keep explanations simple	Try to teach too much at once
Give room for different learners	Ignore learning styles

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long should my grammar lessons be?

Keep it short and sweet—20 to 30 minutes is a good length for focused grammar work, especially online.

2. What if my students don’t participate?

Try asking direct, easy questions. Use games or friendly competitions. Some students just need a little nudge to speak up.

3. Can grammar really be fun online?

Absolutely! With the right mix of visuals, activities, and real-life examples, grammar can be both fun and meaningful.

4. How do I know if they’re learning?

Ask students to create their own examples or write a few lines using the grammar rule. Their application shows what they’ve truly understood.

5. Do I need fancy tools to teach grammar online?

Nope. A whiteboard tool, slides, and a few fun websites can do wonders. It’s about how you teach, not what tools you use.

Final Thoughts

Teaching grammar online doesn’t have to be dry or overwhelming. With a little creativity, some empathy, and the willingness to try new things, you can create grammar lessons your students actually look forward to.

Remember, it’s not about being perfect—it’s about being present, patient, and prepared.

You’ve got this!

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