Brilliant article! And absolutely true. When I was a young mother living in the USA for several months, my 9-years son and even my 5-years daughter learnt english this way. They just wrote down complete sentences or paragraphs plenty of grammar mistakes and incorrect spelling but the idea they wanted to put in words made sense!. That had nothing to do with the way we learn here not only english but our own language. And it was gorgeous to see how they learnt!
I'd like to mention some other aspects of the issue, though. (Tomorrow, I promise)
Hi again. Just to point out some aspects that I consider relevants in second language acquisition:
-There are similarities in the process of learning a First or a Second Language but there are several differencies too. We can not obviate the interaction between the two languages (This interaction doesn't have to be necessarily a bad thing, in the contrary, it should be a good one)
-Age can make a difference when you first begin learning a second language. The background( cognitiv, social, communicative, etc) of a 6-years-old child is uncomplicated if compared with the background of a grown-up. Therefore, the "amount" of language that one child needs to get on is short in contrast to the one that an adult needs to communicate.
-One of the greatest difference between English and Spanish is the rhythm pattern. I think this should be taught and learnt with more awareness.
-Acquisition of language skills is not quick and easy. It's a complex, lifelong process that require many varied academic activities and, above all, willingness to learn.
I completely agree with this article. However, I personally think that we can hardly do nothing to avoid suffering from "grammar anxiety" since as soon as we start to learn English,we're forced to know English grammar rules and we're marked according to that knowledge, so, as I see it, teaching methods should be updated.
I agree with all of you, girls. Spanish complex grammar makes us think that other languages are the same so we tend to make it more difficult than it's. On the other hand, we Spaniards are so focused on passing exams that we are bound to be worried with these items. ...so once we have decided to enjoy our English, it's more likely our grammar anxiety disappear.
Interesting article. I couldn´t agree more with the author when she writes that “...their teacher probably began with the grammar rules.” In my view, this is the main problem, not only because it probably wouldn´t be completely necessary, but for the fact that these rules are repeated a thousand times, taking time off from different activities like listening, writing and, of course, speaking. Indeed, I wonder why it is so difficult to change our educational system in order to obtain better results. We´d better send this article for our political leaders to read it, in case they could understand it. But I recognise that there are times I suffer from Grammar anxiety.
I have read the article and on one hand i totally agree with it but on the other hand and according with Eunateś opinion it is true that we are so worried about grammar because of the exams. Moreover if we do what the article says and we use more easier grammatical structures ( not to suffer anxiety) maybe we haven´t got the appropiate level to pass the exams,so at the end, and in my opinion,we are going to worried about grammar
I agree with this article. Some years ago, when I started to study English at school, grammar was the most important thing to learn in this subject, and it was like this in the Secondary School. I remember some teachers who say that if we didn't speak with a very correct grammar, English people would not understand us.
Eventhough English is a very opened language which allows us to feel very comfortable when it comes the time for not doing mistakes, we are usually obsessed with having a perfect grammar skill. This fact is even increased if we think about how many different English dialects exist, which seems to be an advantage for making mistakes, but means that there is not a perfect grammar for real (except when we are taking an exam).
Enlightening article! I consider that "grammar anxiety" is more frequent in adult learners because we try to show we are good students (or, at least, not too stupid). We suffered a classical methodology that punished grammar mistakes and, as a consequence, we still worry about our grammar. This meant that our lessons were less participative, more stressful and, on many occasions, really boring. I notice I´m using past tenses, so, young learner if you don't agree with this opinion, perhaps you are still learning in a traditional way. I'm sorry for that. Be creative. I totally agree with the article.This way of teaching and learning must be the future of education.
Hi everyone,personally this is my situation. Grammar is said to be the most important thing when you are studying English,however neither the grammar nor the exams are the only thing to consider.I'm getting used to being more natural with this language.In fact I try to improve my level of English in my every single day.
That`s an article full of clarity. It's completely true, english papers, for example, are clear and have simple sentences. The spanish researchers actually copy this method with more success.
The spanish students have several difficulties to express themselves, don't reach to write or to speak to the public. This is a real problem that devalue our abilities.
15 comentarios:
Brilliant article! And absolutely true.
When I was a young mother living in the USA for several months, my 9-years son and even my 5-years daughter learnt english this way. They just wrote down complete sentences or paragraphs plenty of grammar mistakes and incorrect spelling but the idea they wanted to put in words made sense!. That had nothing to do with the way we learn here not only english but our own language.
And it was gorgeous to see how they learnt!
I'd like to mention some other aspects of the issue, though. (Tomorrow, I promise)
Yes, it´s true.
I am sometimes learning English on a wrong way!
I am worried so much with my grammar mistakes and it makes me curb fluency!
Hi again. Just to point out some aspects that I consider relevants in second language acquisition:
-There are similarities in the process of learning a First or a Second Language but there are several differencies too. We can not obviate the interaction between the two languages (This interaction doesn't have to be necessarily a bad thing, in the contrary, it should be a good one)
-Age can make a difference when you first begin learning a second language. The background( cognitiv, social, communicative, etc) of a 6-years-old child is uncomplicated if compared with the background of a grown-up. Therefore, the "amount" of language that one child needs to get on is short in contrast to the one that an adult needs to communicate.
-One of the greatest difference between English and Spanish is the rhythm pattern. I think this should be taught and learnt with more awareness.
-Acquisition of language skills is not quick and easy. It's a complex, lifelong process that require many varied academic activities and, above all, willingness to learn.
Sorry for the long comment by I love the issue ;)
I completely agree with this article. However, I personally think that we can hardly do nothing to avoid suffering from "grammar anxiety" since as soon as we start to learn English,we're forced to know English grammar rules and we're marked according to that knowledge, so, as I see it, teaching methods should be updated.
I agree with all of you, girls.
Spanish complex grammar makes us think that other languages are the same so we tend to make it more difficult than it's.
On the other hand, we Spaniards are so focused on passing exams that we are bound to be worried with these items.
...so once we have decided to enjoy our English, it's more likely our grammar anxiety disappear.
Interesting article.
I couldn´t agree more with the author when she writes that “...their teacher probably began with the grammar rules.” In my view, this is the main problem, not only because it probably wouldn´t be completely necessary, but for the fact that these rules are repeated a thousand times, taking time off from different activities like listening, writing and, of course, speaking.
Indeed, I wonder why it is so difficult to change our educational system in order to obtain better results. We´d better send this article for our political leaders to read it, in case they could understand it.
But I recognise that there are times I suffer from Grammar anxiety.
I have read the article and on one hand i totally agree with it but on the other hand and according with Eunateś opinion it is true that we are so worried about grammar because of the exams. Moreover if we do what the article says and we use more easier grammatical structures ( not to suffer anxiety) maybe we haven´t got the appropiate level to pass the exams,so at the end, and in my opinion,we are going to worried about grammar
I really enjoyed reading your comments. I am really thankful!!
I agree with this article. Some years ago, when I started to study English at school, grammar was the most important thing to learn in this subject, and it was like this in the Secondary School. I remember some teachers who say that if we didn't speak with a very correct grammar, English people would not understand us.
Pilar.
Eventhough English is a very opened language which allows us to feel very comfortable when it comes the time for not doing mistakes, we are usually obsessed with having a perfect grammar skill. This fact is even increased if we think about how many different English dialects exist, which seems to be an advantage for making mistakes, but means that there is not a perfect grammar for real (except when we are taking an exam).
Lucky for me. After reading the article, I can say with no worries that my lack of fluency is of my school English teachers, ha ha.
Enlightening article!
I consider that "grammar anxiety" is more frequent in adult learners because we try to show we are good students (or, at least, not too stupid). We suffered a classical methodology that punished grammar mistakes and, as a consequence, we still worry about our grammar. This meant that our lessons were less participative, more stressful and, on many occasions, really boring.
I notice I´m using past tenses, so, young learner if you don't agree with this opinion, perhaps you are still learning in a traditional way. I'm sorry for that.
Be creative. I totally agree with the article.This way of teaching and learning must be the future of education.
I
Hi everyone,personally this is my situation. Grammar is said to be the most important thing when you are studying English,however neither the grammar nor the exams are the only thing to consider.I'm getting used to being more natural with this language.In fact I try to improve my level of English in my every single day.
That`s an article full of clarity. It's completely true, english papers, for example, are clear and have simple sentences. The spanish researchers actually copy this method with more success.
The spanish students have several difficulties to express themselves, don't reach to write or to speak to the public. This is a real problem that devalue our abilities.
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