Comprehension and Production Practice in Grammar Instruction: Does Their Combined Use Facilitate Second Language Acquisition?

Grammar instruction usually consists of explanation, feedback, and practice.
Recent studies (e.g., Dekeyser & Sokalski, 1996; Ellis, 1993, 1995; VanPatten &
Cadierno, 1993) focus on the relative effectiveness of comprehension and
production practice in grammar instruction yet tend to treat the two forms of
practice as mutually exclusive. Previous studies on input and output processing
in second language acquisition, however, indicate that comprehension and
production practice each play unique roles in the development of knowledge,
promoting accurate and fluent language use. Suggesting that the two forms of
practice can be complementary, this study examines the effects of combining
comprehension and production practice in grammar instruction and considers
the role of practice in second language acquisition.