This book is a practical guide aligned with the goals of National Education Policy 2020, aimed at helping teachers move beyond rote grammar instruction toward functional and expressive language use. Designed especially for multilingual and mostly under-resourced Indian classrooms, the book blends theory with real classroom insights to address key gaps in teacher training. It offers creative, student-centred strategies for teaching grammar, writing, and expression, supported by practical tools, reflective activities, and inclusive pedagogy. The book empowers teachers to build clarity, confidence, and fluency in learners—bridging foundational literacy goals with communicative competence in line with NEP 2020’s vision for holistic language education.
Dr. Arnab Kundu is a passionate teacher with over fifteen years of experience in teaching English Language in rural schools. He holds a master’s degree in English and a Ph.D. in Education. His deep understanding of classroom realities and grassroots education enriches his writing and research. He has published more than thirty research papers in reputed international journals indexed in Scopus, including fifteen in Q1- ranked journals. His previous book, Academic Framework for 21st-Century Schooling: Promoting Global Peace and Harmony, received international recognition and was highly appreciated by the academic community.
Preface
1. Fusing Expression with Rules: Teaching English Grammar in India’s Classrooms/ 1
Introduction / 1; Relationship among Language, Grammar, and Linguistics / 1;
Major Methods of Teaching Grammar / 3; Theoretical Perspectives on Grammar Pedagogy / 6; Historical and Policy Perspectives of Grammar Instruction in India / 14; Major Pedagogic Challenges of Grammar Instruction in Indian Schools / 17; Introduction to the Fusion Framework / 21; Conclusion and Key Takeaways / 24
2. English Alphabet: The Basics of Language/ 26
Introduction / 26; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 26; English Alphabet: Definitions and Types / 27; Syllable: Definition and Types / 33; Effective Strategies for Teaching the Alphabet to Young Learners / 34
3. Understanding Sentence and Parts of Speech/ 38
Introduction / 38; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 38; Sentence: Definition, Structure, and Types / 39; Parts of Speech: Definition and Types / 45; Teaching Parts of Speech Using GTM and CLT Method / 48; Effective Strategies to Teach Sentence Structure to Children / 49
4. Exploring Nouns and Their Allies: Number, Gender, and Case/ 53
Introduction / 53; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 53; Nouns: Definition and Types / 54; Gender and Gender Change / 58; Number and Number Change / 61; Case of Noun / 64; Brief 10-Minutes CLT-Based Lesson on Cases of Nouns / 64; Some Interactive Techniques to Teach Nouns / 65
5. Understanding Pronouns and Their Types/ 69
Introduction / 69; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 69; Pronouns: Definitions and their Types / 70; Pronoun Instruction through a Modern Method / 74; Effective Ways to Teach Pronouns / 76
6. Understanding Adjectives: Degrees, Articles, and Determiners/ 80
Introduction / 80; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 80; Adjectives: Definitions and Types / 81; Articles / 83; Degrees of Adjectives / 86; Determiner / 88; Teaching Degrees of Adjectives Using CLT Methods / 89; Teaching Tactics for Enhancing Adjective Usage among Students / 91
7. Exploring Verbs: Verbal, Voice, Tenses, and Subject-Verb Agreement/ 94
Introduction / 94; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 94; Verb: Definition and Functions / 95; Types of Verbs / 96; Verbal: Definitions and Uses / 100; Auxiliary Verb / 101; Tense: Definitions and Types / 102; Mood of Verbs / 106; Conjugation of Verb / 108; Voice / 111; Phrasal Verbs / 115; Group Verb / 116; Subject-Verb Agreement / 116; Teaching Past Tense Using CLT Method / 118; Teaching Voice Using Task-Based Learning with Contextualization / 120; Ways to Help Students Learn Verbs and Their Uses / 121
8 Adverbs and Adverbials: Exploring Their Functions/ 124
Introduction / 124; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 124; Adverbs: Definitions and Types / 125; Degrees of Adverbs / 128; Adverbials / 129; Instructional Techniques for Introducing Adverbs / 132
9. Prepositions in Action: Connecting Words and Ideas/135
Introduction / 135; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 135; Prepositions: Definitions and Types / 136; Appropriate Preposition / 139; Prepositional Phrase / 141; Teaching Prepositional Phrases Using Modern Methods / 145; Hands-On Methods for Preposition Instruction / 147
10. Connecting Ideas: A Comprehensive Guide to Conjunctions/ 149
Introduction / 149; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 149; Conjunctions: Definitions and Types / 150; Linker / 151; Teaching Coordinating and Subordinating Conjunctions Using CLT / 153; Classroom Strategies for Enhancing Conjunction Skills / 154
11. Interjections: Expressing Emotions with Exclamations/ 157
Introduction / 157; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 157; Definitions and Types of Interjection / 158; Formal vs. Informal Use of Interjections / 160; Teaching Interjections / 161; Some Instructional Techniques for Teaching Interjections / 163
12. Use of Modifiers: Enhancing Clarity and Precision in Sentences/ 166
Introduction / 166; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 166; Definition and Uses of Modifiers / 167; Parts of Speech That Can Function as Modifiers / 168; Teaching Modifiers Using CLT Method / 168; Teaching Tools and Activities for Mastering Modifiers / 169
13. Narration Change: Shifting between Direct and Indirect Speech/ 171
Introduction / 171; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 171; Definition and Types of Narration / 172; Narration Change: Definition and Rules for Changing / 173; CLT-Based Teaching Plan for Narration Change / 179; Instructional Techniques for Teaching Narrative Voice Shifts / 180; Introduce Exceptions Using Rule Posters / 182
14. Exploring Phrases and Clauses: Foundations of Sentence Construction/ 183
Introduction / 183; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 183; Definition and Types of Phrase / 184; Definition and Types of Clauses / 187; Teaching Relative Clause Using Interactive Teaching Plan / 191; Innovative Strategies to Help Students Master Phrases and Clauses / 192
15. Joining and Splitting Sentences: Techniques for Effective Sentence Structure/ 194
Introduction / 194; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 194; Definitions and Rules of Joining / 195; Splitting: Definitions and Rules / 196; Application in Writing Contexts / 198; Some Strategies to Make Teaching Joining and Splitting Interesting / 200
16. Understanding Punctuation and Abbreviations: Rules and Applications/ 202
Introduction / 202; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 202; Definition and Uses of Punctuation / 203; Definition and Uses of Abbreviation / 205; Creative Strategies for Teaching Punctuation and Abbreviations / 208
17. Forming Questions: Techniques and Structures for Effective Inquiry/ 210
Introduction / 210; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 210; Forming Question: Definition and Structure / 211; Some Smart Techniques to Teach School Students Question Making / 217
18. Expanding Vocabulary: Exploring Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms, Homophones, and Homonyms /219
Introduction / 219; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 219; Vocabulary: Definition and Types / 220; Synonyms: Definitions and Types / 221; Antonyms: Definitions and Types / 223; Idioms: Definitions and Types / 224; Latin Phrases: Definitions and Types / 226; Homophones: Definitions and Types / 227; Homonyms: Definitions and Types / 229; Anagram: Definitions and Types / 229; Some Innovative Approaches to Teaching Vocabulary Elements / 230
19. Effective Composition and Creative Writing 233
Introduction / 233; Composition Vs. Creative Writing / 233; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 234; Composition / 234; Example [Essay for Class 8] / 235; Notice Writing: Definitions and Steps / 239; Types of Emails / 242; Dialogue Writing: Definitions and Steps / 245; Narrating Event / 246; Process Writing / 246; Creative Writing / 247; Pedagogical Techniques for Teaching Effective Writing / 250
20. Exploring Literary Expression: Simple Forms and Key Terms 253
Introduction / 253; Pedagogic Preparation Aligning NEP 2020 / 253; Literary Expression / 254; Rhetoric: Definition and Devices / 255; Prosody: Definition and Key Elements / 260; Types of Literature / 264; Figure of Speech: Definitions and Types / 266; Teaching Techniques in Literary Expression / 269
21. Aligning English Grammar and Expression Pedagogy with NEP 2020/272
Introduction / 272; Language Learning Goals under NEP 2020 / 272; Key Policy Directives Relevant to Grammar and Expression / 273; Reimagining Grammar Teaching in Light of NEP / 274; Grammar through Multilingual and Contextualized Pedagogy / 276; Expression and Creative Writing in the NEP Framework / 277; NEP-Recommended Pedagogical Practices and their Integration / 278; Role of Teachers in Implementing NEP in Grammar Instruction / 279; Assessment in NEP- Aligned Grammar and Expression Teaching / 280; NEP’s Vision for Addressing Challenges / 283;
Conclusion / 285