Every time an English question pop up into my mind, I write it down in my notebook. Whether it is related to grammar or words that have to find meanings or just common expressions that I would like to incorporate to my own pile of vocabularies. What I do especially in understanding grammar rules is after I write it I don't consult yet grammar books..I ask first two or three of the members of MyEC co-members and friends who I know knowledgeable with these matter..Then I study what they have said and taught..Next, I try to formulate my conclusion about their answers..Then, to validate my conclusion, this is the time that I need grammar books/site to see if my conclusions are correct..Finally, for the applications I try to use it in my writings or speaking..For me this method is very effective because what I use is my own words in my questions...And it is my own wordings of conclusion how the grammar rules work..So because of this I can never forget it again..Furthermore, I can easily detect my mistakes in speaking because I adapted grammar rules as my own..Meaning, you don't have to memorize grammar rules which is not your own wordings because it is more complicated..but if you make your own version of rules and you, your mind is the one who formulate it, it is now more easy for you to learn English grammar or just anything in English..Would you agree to me?This is only a recent discovery for myself that perhaps I can do some systematic kind of learning grammar or any thing in English. I think it is very similar to scientific method we all have known for a long time..I will cite an example of what I am saying that I did just recently.
1.) Ask a question:---I couldn't grasp the rules before as to when do/does/did and are, is, were,was use in asking question..Are they very elementary? Yeah, I know but really I couldn't use them properly in speaking when a sentence has a verb that is basic form of verb, verb-ing/ed or just another noun after the subject..So, because of this I wrote down to my notebooks my questions and hope to discover them in the future what is really behind them..I need to discover why this, and why that..why not like this and why not like that..2.) Do background research:---So as I was finding for the answers, I saw an opportunity to ask Expector Smith as I was commenting to his blog about writing dialog http://my.englishclub.com/profiles/blogs/write-a-dialogue-to-improve..I asked him this same question and wrote some examples of interrogative sentences..Then, he smartly answered my given questions..After that I had a chance to ask again two or more people about these..3.) Construct hypothesis:---As I've learned to them I started to formulate my own versions of rules. Such as:*Do,does,did use when---the verb is only in infinitive form(as my friend called it but for me it is basic form of verb)Ex. Do they love the ripe fruits?Does he plant the vegetable seedlings?*Are,is,was,were use when---there is a verb -ing or ed(as passive) after the subject; also another noun after the subject; or subject + state of beingEx. Are seeds scattered so they will have a chance to grow?Is she removing the weeds growing among her plants?Are the fish thirsty? (state of being)Is that my seedling? (another noun)4.) Test your hyphothesis:---I do this by answering exercises in the books or online grammar site..and also studying and consulting what the grammar books/site say.5.) Draw conclusion:---As I analyzed again my answers in the exercises I had and the rules I pre-made, I made a short version of it in my head..As I picture my own version of rules across to my head again and again..6.) Application:---I apply my adapted rules whenever I have a chance in my writings and speaking..I know in someways I have flaws in constructing my rules here..But what I am really excited about is that I've just discovered a method to make my learning easy and at the same time exciting...So, how about you my friends, do you have special method you discovered yourself? Or do you have discoveries even big or small pertaining to grammar or just about anything in English that you can share with me?
I feel to modify you scientific Method. My apology if not convinced you. It's a great theory and it just not completed, may be you stay back. But this a great theory and I supported this. :)) Please waiting for your suggestions :)
You have also a great method..Do you usually apply this in your writings? No wonder your writings are all fantastic! And I'd like also to take this chance to thank you 'cos you are one of my friends here who supports me and teaches me so many things in so many ways....I love this site so much because of friends here like you...
May I request oppah?..Could you give an example of how to use this method in writing next time in your blog?
Hi, Mayumee!
This is really an excellent blog. You seem to have found yourself your own ways as this methodological principle of how to improve your English for the better understanding. This scientific method is quite similar to the essay or report in writing as starting with the introduction (approaching with some questions), then taking up the main subject (constructing, testing, analyzing or debating) and giving the conclusion (as reporting the result of research with our own words, finalizing the main concept in conclusion which supports the main subject). Generally speaking, this may possibly challenge us to learn & improve our English grammars in a proper way of grammatical comprehension in writing & speaking. Thanks for sharing your newest way of learning with us! Excellent!
Thank you so much, Expector..You're always here whenever I write a blog..Thank you for the nice words..I really appreciates your opinion and your ideas..Thank you for helping me whenever I have inquiries...
Thanks for sharing your fantastic 'scientific method' - very helpful for learners here! Glad you've found a great way to learn English.
It takes time and effort to learn and master all the grammar rules, which can be boring, but if you know the ropes, it's getting easier to learn.
It's very important to learn how to ask questions properly. To ask a question properly doesn't seem so easy for learners. Actually, I'm planning to write a blog on it.
Comments
:)))
Hello Mayumi,
I feel to modify you scientific Method. My apology if not convinced you. It's a great theory and it just not completed, may be you stay back. But this a great theory and I supported this. :)) Please waiting for your suggestions :)
You have also a great method..Do you usually apply this in your writings? No wonder your writings are all fantastic! And I'd like also to take this chance to thank you 'cos you are one of my friends here who supports me and teaches me so many things in so many ways....I love this site so much because of friends here like you...
May I request oppah?..Could you give an example of how to use this method in writing next time in your blog?
Take care always,
mayumee
This is really an excellent blog. You seem to have found yourself your own ways as this methodological principle of how to improve your English for the better understanding. This scientific method is quite similar to the essay or report in writing as starting with the introduction (approaching with some questions), then taking up the main subject (constructing, testing, analyzing or debating) and giving the conclusion (as reporting the result of research with our own words, finalizing the main concept in conclusion which supports the main subject). Generally speaking, this may possibly challenge us to learn & improve our English grammars in a proper way of grammatical comprehension in writing & speaking. Thanks for sharing your newest way of learning with us! Excellent!
Thank you so much, Expector..You're always here whenever I write a blog..Thank you for the nice words..I really appreciates your opinion and your ideas..Thank you for helping me whenever I have inquiries...
Thank you...
Thanks for sharing your fantastic 'scientific method' - very helpful for learners here! Glad you've found a great way to learn English.
It takes time and effort to learn and master all the grammar rules, which can be boring, but if you know the ropes, it's getting easier to learn.
It's very important to learn how to ask questions properly. To ask a question properly doesn't seem so easy for learners. Actually, I'm planning to write a blog on it.
'know the ropes': know how to do something