Is there a need for grammar when we learn a foreign language online?

It’s impossible to overestimate grammar learning when we learn a foreign language online. Grammar is a very important thing that forms a coherent language system – without grammar a language could turn into desultory and weird gibberish. Grammar is like cement which links words into sentences. But the problem is that it’s usually not easy to learn grammar, it can be awfully boring. In addition, sometimes it’s difficult to use grammar in practice. So, what shall we do?

Let’s think first what shall we NOT do for grammar learning. We’re often said that there are some “magic” language learning methods claiming that we have no need to learn grammar at all. They say that small children don’t study grammar but they get to learn native language rather fast and efficient. That’s right – children are naturally inclined for language learning, they learn the language while they communicate with other people around and get to learn words and phrases and start talking. Is it possible for adult people to learn a language like small children do?

If there is no constant linguistic environment and no native language speakers for permanent communication – it’s really impossible to learn a foreign language online effectively without grammar learning. If we just listen to a foreign radio and learn vocabulary while ignoring grammar we would never be able to speak the language as we haven’t mastered the grammar system of the language we learn. We cannot make even simple foreign phrases if we don’t train grammar skills. So, we shouldn’t ignore grammar!

But why not just to take foreign language textbooks and con all grammar rules and make all exercises? Can we learn foreign language grammar and train the skills of speaking by this way? It’s rather doubtful. We must be able to automatically use grammar skills in practice rather than just know grammar rules off pat. Neither textbooks nor phrasebooks teach it.

So what shall we do? Are there any universal and effective methods of foreign grammar learning which can help us to train conversational skills?

There are such methods of grammar learning. Any of us who has a wish to learn a foreign language online can effectively master grammar skills without suffering. The main thing is to really comprehend a grammar rule and to be able to give numerous examples on it. In addition, it’s useful to learn grammar little by little, from simple rules to complex ones and to combine grammar learning with vocabulary study. 

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