The role of grammar in language study

The role of grammar study in language learning.Download the Podcast on Grammar

What is the role of grammar study in language learning? Stephen Krashen says that grammar based learning is not very effective and I agree. We will get used to different aspects of the grammar of the new language according to a natural order that is part of how brains learn. With enough input we will figure out how the language works. The more we learn, the more we are able to learn, according to Krashen.

Spitzer, in his description of how the brain learns, would seem to agree with Krashen. Yet I know from my own experience that there is a place for grammar study.  I deal with grammar as a reference resource and there are two stages of grammar reference.

1) Before starting a new language I sometimes, although not always, look at a summary of the grammar of the language I am going to learn. This is easy to do today. You just have to google "summary Swedish, (Dutch, Japanese or whatever) grammar" or the equivalent in your native language, or a language you know. You will find a wide choice of sources to choose from. Pick the one you like, probably the shortest one will be the best. Read through it without trying to remember too much. I mean a quick review of about 15 minutes. It is just to get an overview of the language before you start.

2) Throughout the period that I am studying the language, whenever I feel the urge, or am curious about something, I refer to grammars. Today this easily done online. You can even google "French verbs" or "Russian cases" to find specific sites to refer to from time to time. I do not do this too often. I do not know how much it helps, but I admit to being curious to look things up and I know that I discover things that I had not noticed or figured out simply from input.

And that is it. That is all the grammar you need - a first time review, and occasional references or additional reviews. Remember, the goal is not memorize or learn the rules or explanations or tables, but to review them so that you will have an easier time noticing the language as you hear it and read it. This will help your brain eventually learn the language naturally.

I must say, however, that this grammar study does not amount to more than 1%  of the time I spend on learning a language. Mostly I listen and read, and then review my LingQs, and talk with my tutor at LingQ.

Comments

[Liam R]

There is no way you're going to learn the subjunctive in Spanish or the intricacies of adjective endings in German without referring to the grammar.

You can either:
1. Memorize the tables and use them while speaking, constantly referring to them in your head

or

2. Not learn the grammar and fool yourself into thinking you're learning the language "naturally", which only kids under the age of 5 can do with any proficiency.

If I had never looked at grammar it would have taken me five times as long to learn German as it did.

[ed]

@Liam

I think it is possible learn structurally complicated language as an adult both your way and in the way Steve espouses, as well as many other ways. I don't see how or why you need to undercut other people instead of trying to support your own position with a few credible arguments.

[Keith]

Liam said:

"If I had never looked at grammar it would have taken me five times as long to learn German as it did."

There is no way you can know that. You have to choose one path or the other. Nobody knows the result of something they didn't do. Also, results are affected by factors such as the method employed. There is no one single factor that can be adhered to that will produce constant results.

[valina eckley]

日本語の文法の場合は「他動詞と自動詞」というのは全然わからないんです。先生は何回も説目してくださってたのに、また私のとって意味がない。日本語の文法のルールは難しすげて、ちゃんとした分かるって言う日本人が結構いないよね。文法を勉強せずにインプットしたほうがいいです。

私、五年間日本で英語を教えています。教えてる生徒の中に英語の文法のルールをいつも考えてる人は多い。残念ながら、五年間教えてるのに、この人たちは全然上達しなかったです。たまに、もっと下手になってしまう場合もあります。　インプットしてないからです。レッソンの毎回「もっともっと読んで着てください」って私が言ってるのに（泣）でも、よくインプットしてる生徒たちは非常に上達します！　　

今、リンクでフランス語を勉強してますよね。文法のルールは一回も見たかとないのに、いっぱい分かるようになりました。　　リアムさんが残ったコメントはぜんぜん違うと私が強く思います。

でも、私はステブさんの味方ですよね！　　

[Steve Kaufmann]

Thanks for the comment Val. I have never heard of 他動詞と自動詞. Thank goodness I did not read the grammar explanations or I might never have learned Japanese. I am glad to hear that you have enjoyed your grammar-light French learning at LingQ.

[ChiaBrain]

When I was learning to draw I remember reading a quote in a book regarding the rules for 3D perspective. It went something like "learn the rules then promptly forget them".

It sounds contradictory but the point was that learning the rules was good to develop an appreciation of how rather than as something to memorize and constantly refer to.

While I'm not a linguist it seems to apply here.

[Steve Kaufmann]

I find it difficult to learn the rules for a language that I have not experienced, let along remember them or use them. It is only now after 1000 hours of Russian that I am focusing on grammar to some extent. Now it makes sense, and now I am motivated, and now I have the words to use it.

[qklilx]

You know, when I think about it, I've gotten used to the so-called "topic particles" and "subject particles" of Japanese and Korean over time and have gotten my accuracy to perhaps 95% or more, in both speech and writing. No matter how many explanations I would find and read on the topic, they rarely helped except in letting me explain what I know from EXPERIENCE to other people with a lesser understanding (which is what I had before reading). I remember back in high school learning the rules of each Japanese particle and being confused at times trying to figure out the proper particle to use in a sentence. Now it come naturally after I've had many conversations with Japanese people. The same goes for Korean.

Now I am challenging myself with Mongolian. The equivalent of "to, at, toward" has several rules depending on gender and word ending. After reading this post, I will experiment. I'll skim through the explanations, then dive into the exercises and readings (sadly few; I need a better manual). Since I don't expect to speak anytime too soon, and the Mongolians I met in Korea said using the wrong agglutinative suffix won't make it hard to understand (provided it's one of the ones needed for my intended meaning), I'll see how much input will be needed. I suppose I'll get back to you in a few months Steve, provided I have the time and resources to actually do this. I've got 4 classes lectured in Korean to take this semester and have to make sure I understand all the material. :P