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.

Two of the most problematic areas in learning a language like, for example, English, is new vocabulary and the pronunciation of it.  If you're talking with a native English speaker about their home life or you are in their home, for example, you will feel much more comfortable listening to them when you know the names of things they are talking about.  That you know their names and how to pronounce them, is very important.

Please check out the following video on YouTube about things found in a living room.  It's a simple slideshow with English pronunciation.  Watch it right to the end and if you liked it, click 'like', and if you want to see more videos like that or you want to watch different free videos, add suggestions in the comments section below and then subscribe, to get notifications of more newly released videos that will help you on your English learning journey.

Good luck, and hopefully we'll hear from you in the near future.

https://youtu.be/YEDBGV4ufzE