A deductive approach to teaching language starts by giving learners rules, then examples, then practice. It is a teacher-centred approach to presenting new content.

Teacher sitting on desk explaining something to students

This is compared with an inductive approach, which starts with examples and asks learners to find rules, and hence is more learner-centred.

Example
The form and use of the third conditional is explained to learners, then they have a gap-fill exercise to complete, then prepare their own examples.

In the classroom
The deductive approach may be suitable with lower level learners who need a clear base from which to begin with a new language item, or with learners who are accustomed to a more traditional approach and so who lack the training to find rules themselves.

Further links:

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/presenting-new-language

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/planning-a-grammar-lesson

Research and insight

Browse fascinating case studies, research papers, publications and books by researchers and ELT experts from around the world.

See our publications, research and insight