I'd like to know your opinions on the subject of formal grammar learning.
When we learn English, we often learn grammar at an early age and then it's not taught formally after that. This means that most native English speakers grow into adulthood, speaking English but not having a good knowledge of the grammar that makes the language up. The lack of this knowledge doesn't stop us from speaking and listening proficiently. However, when we start to learn another language at school, we suddenly find ourselves learning formal grammar, and come across (phrasal verb there!) terms that are either unfamiliar to us or that we have never heard before.
Some people do very well in the new language, but many people, after years of learning the language, still fail to fully attain an expert knowledge of it and can't use it as they would their own native tongue. So, the question is... should we acquire language instead of learning it through formal, traditional methods, as used in language classrooms? Another question that could be asked is regarding how much grammar should be taught.
For the last few years I have taught students from many countries around the world, and most, if not all of them, have a much better grasp of English grammar than I have myself, but yet they make so many mistakes when speaking to me (their teacher), and I find their listening skills are nowhere near the level they should be after so many years of learning. Also, confidence levels in speaking, in general, are not high.
So, having said all this, I suspect that our traditional form of learning or indeed teaching, has failed. Maybe we need to focus much less on formal grammar learning and place much more emphasis on encouraging students to speak more, listen more, practice more, and enjoy the learning process in a much more holistic way. This includes the learning of one of the most dreaded areas of English learning - phrasal verbs.
Please let me know what you think.
Comments
I'm not sure. But I think it depends on what we need.
When it is related to job, some may need to speak excellently, some may need to know grammar more.
Thank you for sharing, Teacher Gary.
Indeed, a good question. Everything should be within the bounds of reason. I think that the basic rules (common to all languages - parts of the sentence, word order, keywords) still are needed to be taught. But, it's necessary to take into consideration the objectives of the studying and/or teaching, as well as the methods applied. In fact, I have seen many people with excellent grammar and absolutely unable to speak (just as you've mentioned above)...and people who have never learned any grammar, but their language will compete with their mother tongue. So...for academic needs....one should learn grammar too. For just communication...I guess it is not that essential. Kids learn to speak before learning grammar...so do adults.
Thanks for the discussion, Gary.
Hi, Gary. This is interesting discourse. I think that way of learning grammar is understanding meaning of every rules. Often in schools studients is made teach names of rules and sometimes meaning, but how it works on practice not many studients. At second, when student know what is every rules you should practice application. At third, If you teach childrents, then you should repeat old items.