Diciembre 30, 2008
More on grammar
How much attention do we need to pay to grammar in language learning? In my view, not much. Download Grammar 2
I spend very little time on grammar and I have learned to speak 10 languages. I find that listening and reading, and focusing on words and phrases, is a more productive and enjoyable way to spend my time. I said so in my previous post.
In response, Liam, representing I believe the views of people who like grammar, and those who teach grammar, made a comment to my previous post in which he said that to learn the subjunctive in Spanish or adjective endings in German we 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."
But it all depends on our goal. If our goal is to communicate, to understand, to learn lots of words and phrases so that we can express ourselves, maybe the niceties of the subjunctive in Spanish or adjective endings in German do not matter that much. Maybe they can wait.
I tried memorizing declension tables in German, and it was only when I stopped doing that, and focused on listening and reading, that my ability to communicate in German improved. I do not refer to tables and usually find that I can handle the subjunctive quite easily in French and Spanish, although the third person singular of various tenses can give me trouble if I have been away from the language. It just does not come out automatically the way I would like, at times. But I am all right with that and do not think that memorizing tables would help me. Besides it is boring to memorize tables, so I choose not to do it. I get lots of compliments on my German, Spanish and French.
I would say that the kind of language learning proposed by Liam is responsible for the generally poor results that are achieve in class room language instruction. While Liam may learn best that way, I think he is in the minority. I believe, with Krashen, and with Manfred Spitzer, that the brain does not do as well with the explicit explanation and learning of rules and tables, but rather the brain will figure these things on its own, with enough of the right kind of input. Occasional reference to grammar can help, but memorizing the tables, in my experience is an ineffective way to spend one's language learning time.
Diciembre 29, 2008
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.