Do good grammar skills in the English language predict success in communication ? I was taught the English grammar in the 1990s when the prevalent teaching method was the traditional one : the Teacher presents the rule, students practice it in exercises and for homework they memorize the rules more often than not without even examples: “ We use the Imperative to express order, command or request, to give instructions or advice. We use the infinitive form of the verb”. I was a very good student and a great parrot ! When I practiced for the B2 and C2 level exams the speaking part seemed quite troublesome. Despite being a very good student things blurred in my mind when I wanted to express myself and that needed extra work on my side. The reason given at the time was that I was over stressed !
I was in my first year of studies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and I was waiting for the bus 622 on Akadimias street to take me to the English Language and Literature Faculty in Zografou. A tourist came up and asked me the way to a nearby bus stop that I can’t recall now. I was baffled, I could not give any directions although I knew where the bus stop was. I raised my head and I said in astonishment “Come with me I will show you!” that is, I preferred to move to the bus stop with the tourist than try to utter a direction command that I obviously was not trained to use in real life situations.
For some time back then the recollection of that incident brought about embarrassment and worry to me about my language proficiency and I assure you that things like that have happened several times again in my teaching (and not only) career! But that specific incident led to the shocking realization that although I studied hard and I got excellent marks in the English language learning process, I had passed the language certification exams and I had entered University and actually I was studying the English language, my communication skills were null, in fact there were no communication skills at all !
Fortunately nowadays, modern teaching framework provides a more holistic way of language teaching where grammar is taught as part of the language and not as an extra and/or different part from it. First of all the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) describes the learning potentials as pragmatic and action – oriented https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=090000168045bb52. The self-assessment grinds refer to levels according to what “I” as learner can do in terms of expressing myself in a conversation, dealing with situations that can arise, communicating, interacting, presenting an argument and so on.
HOW CAN THE TEACHER PROMOTE THE COMMUNICATION GOAL THROUGH GRAMMAR TEACHING ?
- By using videos and stories from educational organisations oriented on specific grammar points, for example : how to use the Quantifiers in English https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/intermediate/unit-3/session-2/activity-3 or how to give instructions in the park https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/listen-watch/short-stories/no-dogs
- By using songs and karaoke in class : ‘If I were a rich man’ from the Fiddler on the Roof https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBHZFYpQ6nc to practice conditionals, or “What was I made for?” by Billie Eilish to practice the passive voice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW8VLC9nnTo .
- By practicing Role Playing in class : one student is the tourist and asks for directions, the other student gives directions , one student works in the market and the other students ask and practice “How much, How many” and so on.
- By making projects for presentation on topics students will choose practicing grammar : “How to save the planet” (use of instructions and imperative) , “One day in the life of a famous person” (practicing the Present Simple), “ An Interview with a famous person, a person I admire” (practicing forming questions).
- By using arts and crafts, making posters or playing board games in class, students practice the language freely and that’s a great opportunity for the teacher to interact and even spot any discrepancies that call for revision or further analysis.
- What is more, modern grammar books are more communication oriented , with more Use of English type of exercises, open questions to engage the student and some of them blending vocabulary drills into the grammatical features presented.
Now that I recall that incident with the tourist on Akadimias street I feel gratitude because in a sense it made me realise that the actual goal of language learning is to be able to communicate in the target language. In fact that incident incited a revolution in my thinking, made me more open minded and resourceful as far as teaching grammar in English is concerned.
