GRAMMAR DISCUSSION

GRAMMAR DISCUSSION

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1)	Do you like studying grammar?
2)	Do you think grammar is the most important thing to learn in English?
3)	What is the most difficult part of English grammar?
4)	Which is more difficult, English grammar or your own language’s grammar?
5)	What is the best way to learn grammar?
6)	Do you have a favorite grammar book?
7)	How do you like to learn grammar in class?
8)	What are your grammar successes?
9)	Do you think playing grammar games is an effective way to learn?
10)	Do you think students should keep a special grammar notebook?

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GRAMMAR DISCUSSION

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1)	What grammar websites would you recommend to other students?
2)	How do you think many people can learn a language without learning grammar?
3)	What grammar question would you really like answering now?
4)	Do you think you are good at explaining English grammar rules to other learners?
5)	Is the grammar of speech different from the grammar of writing?
6)	Have you ever met a native English speaker with poor grammar?
7)	Have all your English teachers been good at teaching grammar?
8)	What area of English grammar do you think is easiest to learn?
9)	How often have you said you hate grammar?
10)	Do you think that one day you’ll be able to download grammar from your computer into your brain and have no grammar homework?

LEARN GRAMMAR

"Why do I have to learn grammar?"

Have you ever wondered why you have to learn grammar? Here are 8 answers for why learning grammar is important.

1. Core knowledge. If you're educated, you know grammar. It's like learning state capitols. No one yet has asked me the capitol of North Dakota (it's Bismarck). But it's one of those things educated people learn.
2. Jargon. Grammar provides a vocabulary to communicate about writing. When your teacher says, "Great vivid adjectives," it helps to know what adjective means.
3. Be able to apply rules. One rule says, "Avoid passive voice; it makes dull writing." You can't avoid passive voice until you know what it is.
4. Understand writing better. Can you compose music without knowledge of music theory, major/minor chords, and dominant sevenths? Well, yes. But you'll write music better if you know music theory.
5. Analyze others' writing. A knowledge of grammar lets you analyze, describe, and eventually imitate the style of good writing.
6. Foreign Languages. Knowledge of grammar helps you learn foreign languages, especially inflected ones (all the European languages).
7. It's a mental discipline. The Army makes recruits do pushups. Now I've never yet seen a soldier do pushups when he's fighting the enemy. But building up those muscles equips him to perform his other tasks. So also, learning grammar strengthens logic skills, and you use logic elsewhere.
8. Equipping. Even if today you want to become a firefighter, which requires minimal grammar skills, one day you might find yourself needing to find a new vocation that may require strong grammar and writing skills. It is always smart to prepare yourself to be flexible in today’s job market.