Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli is encouraging teachers to use a new guide, which will assist them in teaching grammar to students in primary schools.

Mr Piccoli has launched the teaching resource, Grammar: a guide for teachers K-6.

Mr Piccoli said that having grasped reading, a good understanding of grammar gives students the building blocks to speak and write with clarity and confidence.

“Grammar is critical because it teaches the mechanics of language,” Mr Piccoli said.

“This is an additional resource containing practical activities and useful examples to prepare lessons and support student learning.

“Last September I launched a phonics guide to assist the teaching of reading. That guide has proven popular, with more than 2,100 copies distributed. I hope this guide receives similar interest.”

Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards President Tom Alegounarias said the guide has been developed to assist teachers new to the profession, as well as those with extensive classroom experience.

In NSW primary schools, teachers must allocate over one quarter of class time to English, and the phonics and grammar guides will be valuable tools in building reading and writing skills.