I visited several websites and read several articles. Then I found the same ideas on MyEC too. Some people said that we don't need to learn English grammar if we want to improve our speaking ability.
I read an English teacher said that we should forget about the grammar rule, 'burn' our English text books and start to speak.
While the others said that we still need to learn grammar if we want to develop our speaking.
So, what's your opinion, friends? Do we need to learn grammar to improve our speaking ability? And what's the reasons for your answer?
Replies
Wow, Marcos
You speak in English very well and very clear. Yes..I agree with you...
We can't apply all English grammar when we are speaking.
@Nhan Tran, Stephen, Alejandra, Aunglinwai
Hi friends, thank for your comments on this discussion group. I'm sorry if it takes me a long time to answer you because I need to think how I should response. I decide to answer you all rather than to answer to each of you because I concluded that your answers have the same idea.
I agree if when we speak in English, we don't need to worry too much about grammar. Especially if we are non-native English learners who are just starting to practice our speaking. Well, when I speak in my national language (I'm from Indonesia) I don't really care about grammar. And mostly I speak with informal form.
My fellow friends also do the same thing. I think we will laugh if we find non Indonesians speak with my national language with proper grammar especially in daily lives. We will think that he or she is a super serious person. Of course the situation changes if we are on formal forum.
I think it also applies in English. But I don't really agree if people use it as an excuse to skip learning English grammar. Or consider that if they can speak in English very well, they can automatically understand grammar or master other English skills.
We are different with native English speakers. They learn English since they were babies. They have plenty chances to speak English. Most of us learn English when we are adult. And we already have our mother tongue.
I believe that native English speakers eventually learn grammar although they can speak very well and automatically. Why? Because they know just because they can speak English, it doesn't mean they know about grammar. And they need to learn grammar for their study or business. I don't really believe if people who never learn grammar can write a good thesis in English at their college although they can speak very well. Written English and spoken English are different.
I think we need to learn English in balance way. Sorry for long answer...
Dear Ranu! I think this topic is very useful for learners. I have been teaching English for more than 25 years and I tried different methodologies. Actually, there are two main ones: so called "academic" (when students are taught all 4 skills at the same time) and "intensive" (when students are taught to remember what they read or hear). Basing on my teaching experience I can assert the first one gives much better results and it is quite explainable. Any new experience needs basic knowledge. How to speak any foreign language if you have no idea about it? Honestly, I haven't read all comments but I agree with Moein. First, students have to learn phonetics, reading and grammar, at least, its main parts. It is a good idea to make students speak from the very beginning for them to overcome so called "language barrier". But if they don't know grammar they will never avoid mistakes not to say the better grammar is, the easier it is to speak. Knowing grammar allows to avoid so called "narrow places" when you don't know some words but you want or have to express your mind. I know many people who were taught both ways and, trust me, those who were taught in academic way, speak and write much better. There are many of them in EC and I hope I will be able to introduce you my students who are still waiting for some approval to become the members of EC.
Well, I'd like to sum up what I have said. The more you practice any foreign language, the better it gets. But it seems to be impossible to gain fluency without knowing grammar. You may speak fast enough but it doesn't mean that your speech is correct. So, learn grammar and practice!
@Tanya
I'm glad to see your comment here, Tanya...thank for sharing your experience. I agree with you...when students practice 4 skills at the same time, they will learn English faster and in balance way.
Unfortunately, when I was at school, we mainly taught to read and write. It was a rare opportunity to practice our speaking. And even we had a chance, we were too shy to take it. But, maybe now the education has been changed.
I will wait opportunity to meet your students and learn English from them...
@Ali
Thank for your eccentric comment...I appreciate that...
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