How should we learn grammar?

What we need to formally learn?

There are many opinions within the language learning community by teachers and students regarding grammar.

Some people believe that a grammar-based approach is the key to learning a language efficiently. They claim that a study of grammar is necessary background for understanding the structure of the language. They insist that without understanding grammar, language would be a jumble of words difficult to decipher. Some go so far as to say that you must first have a good understanding of grammar, even before learning the language. I call this a purely analytical approach.

On the other hand, others believe the opposite: that grammar books are an unnecessary obstacle that slow down the learning process. The grammar rules, and it must be understood only the language and not vice versa. According to this view, the student must begin to 'attack' the language as soon as possible. Massive exposure and deduction are key factors here. I call this a purely inductive approach.

A definition of grammar

I found a very interesting definition of grammar. Grammar is "the structural basis of our ability to express ourselves. The more we realize how it works, the more we can monitor the meaning and effectiveness of the way we and others use the language. It can foster precision, detect ambiguity and exploit the richness of expression. This can help anyone, not just language teachers, but all teachers around '.

What surprised me was the phrase: "The more we realize how it works". I do not think we have to be aware of how it works. We just need to make it work. Once the language flows and is expressed accurately, we have learned grammar. Children five are not even aware of the word grammar and yet are able to string together complete sentences, correct in their mother tongue. They have unconsciously internalized.

Breaking the code

Our goal is to communicate. We're not trying to do well at grammar exercises and related issues. The grammar is internalized if the student works in a truly effective manner.

I see languages ​​as codes. Each language has a different code. Languages ​​are ways in which human beings "encode" sounds and words to convey a message. If we communicate efficiently, we have cracked the code.

To break a code, we need to understand its patterns. That is the key.

Once you have broken the code, the language unfolds and everything becomes easy and enjoyable.

How to break the code?

The main question is how to break the code? How to find a method to put this into practice?

Let me give you an example of analysis:

Consider the following sequence of numbers known as Fibonaccci numbers:

0 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 ...

Instead of giving you the explanation I can give you a hint: ...

The sequence starts with numbers 0 and 1.2 and from these, "each term is the sum of the previous two" is the recurrence relation that defines it.

My Techniques

I am very objective and I am 100% sure that I can comfortably communicate in the target language.

In order to do that, I cut everything unnecessary to only focus on what is needed in the use of language. I simply choose texts which suit my interests and intuitively try to understand the grammar by observing the actual language of native speakers. I am calm and relaxed because I am aware of the fact that a single sentence contains all the grammar I need to know to express a particular thought and the Fibonacci sequence contains the key to its encoding in just a few numbers. Less is more in my method.

Written by Luca Lampariello