The Power of a Communicative Approach in Learning Grammar
Learning grammar is often thought of as one of the most daunting challenges for language students. No one will argue the importance of understanding the grammar of a new language. However, the conventional textbook-based approach, centered on rule memorization, can be a tedious and uninteresting way to mastery. This blog post explores why it is useful for language students to study grammar in a more communicative way, and highlights the impact on language acquisition, motivation, and cross-cultural understanding.
Copying How Native Speakers Learn
If we observe how native speakers acquire grammar, we notice that it is a process rooted in communication. Just as children learn their native language by actively engaging with it, making mistakes, and absorbing grammar naturally through context and repetition, language students can also internalize English grammar more effectively through a communicative approach.
In a communicative setting, you will practice grammar in real-life scenarios. You will learn to construct sentences, ask questions, and respond appropriately, mirroring how children pick up their native language. This practical application of grammar rules in context is a more interesting and effective way of learning.
The Role of Grammar Games
One effective way to use a communicative approach to grammar in language learning classrooms is through grammar games. These interactive activities turn what can be a dry subject into engaging challenges. Playing games with your classmates will encourage you to actively use the language in a fun and sometimes competitive manner. This will help you to internalize grammar rules while improving your language fluency. For example, playing language learning board games can make learning tenses or sentence structures a much more enjoyable experience.
Fostering Motivation
While some learners enjoy traditional textbook-based study, in others it can lead to boredom and demotivation. If the lesson focus is on memorization, it can make the language feel disconnected from real-life communication. In contrast, a communicative activity will offer you the excitement of using the language in a practical situation. Then, as you see that your newly acquired grammar knowledge directly enhances your ability to converse in English, you will enjoy the class and be able to stay motivated throughout the learning process.
Cultural Understanding through Language
As we all know, language is deeply intertwined with culture, and a textbook approach may overlook the nuances of how grammar is used in everyday life. By engaging in conversations and using the new language in an interactive way, you will gain cultural insights that will enrich your language use. You will be able to understand not just the rules, but also the unwritten codes and social contexts of the new language. This is especially valuable for those of you who want to use English in real-world settings, such as for travel, work, or in social interactions.
To sum up, a communicative approach to grammar in learning English will offer you a more dynamic and culturally immersive experience. In playing grammar games, you will be able to maintain your motivation for learning. Additionally, you will start to learn more about the cultural nuances of language use. By joining the Communicative Grammar class, you will become better equipped to communicate effectively in English which will help you to use with the language in a meaningful way. So, next time you're learning English, put that textbook aside, start communicating, and enjoy the journey of language acquisition!
