The study aimed to investigate English language tutors' pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) in teaching grammar at selected colleges of education (CoEs) in Ghana. In the exploratory sequential mixed methods study, multi -staged sampling techniques were employed to select six English Language tutors and one hundred and fifty-five English language major students from CoES in the Eastern and Greater Accra zone (EGA). With Shulman's (1986) PCK Model and Celce-Murcia and Larsen-Freeman's (1999) contextual theory as the theoretical lens, data were analyzed and interpreted. The tutors were observed and interviewed while the students responded to questionnaires and were tested on their comprehension of grammatical concepts. The deductive thematic analysis found that tutors demonstrated outstanding PCK expertise in teaching grammar. However, the correlation result of tutors' PCK and students' understanding of grammatical concepts revealed that there was no significant relationship between the tutors' PCK and students' understanding of grammatical concepts. These results demonstrated that PCK might not be the sole determinant of students' understanding of grammatical concepts. Other factors, such as students' prior knowledge, classroom dynamics, and teaching methodologies beyond PCK, could also influence students' comprehension of grammar. Therefore, other factors that promote students' understanding of grammar should be explored by the English language tutors. Further studies could broaden the study to include othe CoEs zones to offer a comprehensive understanding of tutors' PCK in teaching other aspects of the English language.

Authors:
Clara Frempong, Koforidua Technical University, Ghana
Gborsong, The University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Afiba Torto, The University of Cape Coast, Ghana

About the Presenter(s)
Clara Ofosua Frempong, a tutor of English Language at Abetifi Presbyterian College of Education, Abetifi Kwahu, Ghana. My research interests are in English Language Studies, Language Pedagogy, Teacher Education, and Linguistics.

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