Checking English Grammar

[Niko]

Grammar vs Communication

Which is more important when learning English as a second language? English grammar or English communication?

When a native English teacher is in the classroom, lessons tend to focus on English communication. In the absence of a native English teacher, lessons tend to focus on English grammar.

So which is the better skill to have? Sure it would be easy to sit on the fence, and say that is depends on a variety of factors. However, let's take a strong standing, and give importance to English communication skills.

For those who have read previous blogs on our site, you may have learnt something about the way children learn as opposed to adults. Children learn their native language to survive. In order to survive, children need to communicate. A child knows that with communication, one can request certain things from mummy and daddy. Hence, the whole point of learning a second language is to communicate with others.

We heavily encourage our English teachers to focus on communication as opposed to grammar. Grammar is secondary, and will fall into place over time.

The Japanese are one of the worst English speakers in the world, yet English learning is a mandatory part of their school curriculum from the age of 11. The Germans on the other hand speak beautiful English by the time they graduate high school. The different learning methods between these 2 countries lie with grammar vs communication.

"Until University, I only studied grammar, reading and writing - so I couldn't speak at all," a 38 year-old Tokyo eye doctor said of his classes.

As English teachers, we need to realise the importance of studying English to improve communication rather than to pass English grammar tests.

[Tutor]

This is really wonderful information. I always beleive that a proper mix of both is very important. Communication cannot be understood if improper grammar is used and without the ability to communicate english grammar is a waste.

My point is not to argue. As a teacher of english you always come across many such situations where people are inclined towards specific parts of english. They want to learn either only english communication or only to improve english grammar.

The base still remains - anyone part cannot be superior to other.

[exported_kiwi]

I always concentrate on communication first and worry about grammar later.

Part of the trouble with teaching in Asia is that the students have so much pressure to excel at every subject. This, as we know, is impossible so I try not to overload them with too many grammar rules etc. I concentrate on meaning first and then understanding, but yes, we need a viable balance of all the mediums of communication in order to achieve fluency.

Sadly, if a student isn't interested, we can't teach it into them, if a student has no aptitude, we can't just go out and buy it for them, and if they're not a native speaker, we can't just bestow understanding upon them. Learning, like everything else in life, is earned. It sure as hell isn't given!

Just my 2 cents.