The Grammar Guy Bob Safran: Grammar’s Ties to Literacy & the Science of Reading

This episode of the Innovating Education Podcast is a deep dive into a topic most people overlook: grammar. Dr. Riley Williams sits down with Bob Safran—known to many as "The Grammar Guy"—a pioneer in grammar instruction with over fifty years of experience. Bob has built his career around one mission: reestablishing grammar's critical role in literacy.

We unpack how the 1985 NCTE resolution sidelined grammar, and why that mistake continues to hault our literacy efforts. Bob’s journey from public school teacher to textbook editor, career school CEO, and founder of EGUMPP—a fully online English Grammar, Usage, Mechanics, and Punctuation Program.

Bob breaks down how grammar isn't just rules; it's the key to unlocking comprehension, precision, and clear communication—from the SAT to workplace writing and beyond. He walks us through how EGUMPP—solvable in just 30–40 hours—unpacks language into manageable, self‑graded modules and one‑page “cheat‑sheet summaries” that make sentence mastery accessible to everyone. Whether you lead a school, teach writing, or just believe in the foundations of literacy, this episode will reenergize your appreciation for grammar.

** What You’ll Take Away:**

• Why grammar deserves a comeback—not as rote drill, but as the building block of clarity

• How EGUMPP breaks grammar into four self‑paced modules (Grammar, Usage, Mechanics, Punctuation)—complete with videos, automatic feedback, and certification

• Insight into how grammar, pronunciation, and structure boost reading comprehension and professional communication

Where to Connect:
Curious to try out EGUMPP for yourself or in your classroom? Head over to egumpp.com to request a free demo.