'Language ability cannot be taught; it can only be learned'

There are lots of blog posts, academic articles, and ongoing heated discussions in the actual and virtual ELT staff rooms all over the world about whether we should teach grammar at all.

Those who argue for the teaching of grammar say that we need to know the rules of a language to be able to use it properly. They say grammar gives us the skeleton from which to hang the flesh. Those against it argue that English in particular is not a grammar-based language and in fact, all a language-learner needs is access to level-appropriate, authentic 'input' and a thirst for learning.

Having listened to both sides of this argument, and having applied both of them to my own teaching, I can make a couple of tentative observations:

1. Sometimes students want grammar like children want candy. But just because they want it, should we give it to them? Well, if the child is paying your wages, then yes, maybe you should. But is it good for them? It is not a meal in itself but will do no harm and keep them happy. Being happy, however temporary, can also be helpful in facilitating learning, but of course ultimately we want to do what is best for our students.

2. Authentic input can leave some learners demotivated and feeling that they will never 'get' the language. To find level-appropriate material and finding ways for students to engage with it can place a lot of pressure on the teacher and may lead to the occasion lesson which crashes and burns. We've all been there, haven't we? Personally, I feel we need to take a step into the unknown to grow and develop so I don't place much weight by this view.

3. Grammar can solve 1 & 2. It can be used as an access point into a listening or reading activity, either by identifying a specific grammatical structure before or after engaging with the 'authentic' material.



As you may have picked up if you have read any of my other posts, In conclusion I almost always opt for a 'do what works for you' and for the sake of consistency (and lack of imagination) I say the same here: grammar may not be way to learn a language, but it can most definitely help provide structure and a base for exploring and engaging with the language, and that can only be a good thing.



Comments

  1. Anonymous18 October 2017 at 04:57

    Right I have blogspot as a teacher will be but how can I share as your blog for example sharing information and images? How!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous18 October 2017 at 04:57

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Future of English Language Teaching and Learning?

Image
We are now used to a web experience in which we can integrate images, user-generated and personalised content, as well as the freedom to browse and search for precisely what we want. It is easy to see that this pattern of activity has not yet become part of our approach to language learning, especially if we think about the traditional school setting. Although many schools  are  now moving towards incorporating contemporary learning styles into their architecture, it is often not so evident in the syllabus which can remain prescriptive.  There is a challenge to create an environment in which learners can determine what, how, and when they learn.  From our involvement with the world-wide web we have developed critical thinking skills and we are now more used to the ideas of lifelong and independent learning. The near future should allow learners to create their own learning paths, as well as interacting easily across existing boundaries of space and time. Learning will theref
Read more

The Death of An English

Image
This week the president of the European Commission,  Jean-Claude Juncker, declared that  “Slowly but surely English is losing importance in Europe”. Despite Brexit, the statistics tell us that more and more people in Europe and worldwide are studying English. Regardless of your standpoint on the UK's exit from the European Union, Brexit is not going to affect the trajectory of English-language learning.  In a couple of years people who travel to and from the UK and Europe, or do any sort of business between the two may or may not be speaking in English to each other. Regardless of this English will still be the dominant worldwide language because it is the language of business, science, all aviation and the de facto language of the Internet, which I hear is getting quite popular nowadays.  This is not, however, a defense of English as a lingua franca. But it does remind me that English does not belong to the people of English-speaking countries but to anyone who uses it.
Read more