Conversation vs Grammar classes? Which language lessons are the most useful?
LikeLanguage learning is made of four parts: Speaking/ Listening/ Reading/Writing but do you need to learn all of them? Can you learn a language solely through conversation? Do you absolutely need the dreaded grammar? What is the best way to go forward when learning a language?
Conversation is the fun part, the one thing everyone wants to master. Most of the time, it is the reason why you decided to learn that language in the first place. To sit in that café and chat with a perfect stranger in their own language, discovering the soul of another culture.
Conversation is where you will see results first. After one lesson a complete beginner will be able to say hello, how are you and give their name and place of residence, maybe even mention their cat and their job. After a few lessons you will be amazed to discover you can have a simple conversation in another language. The sense of achievement is tremendous.
Mark every milestone as a success.
You asked for a steak medium-rare and received a steak medium-rare? Results! You asked a question but did not understand the reply? Next time you will be more prepared and will try to catch words (the general idea) rather than focus on that single word you didn't know the meaning of. You are learning!
It is possible to learn another language solely through conversation, that's how small children do it, by recognising and mimicking sounds, but from a certain age, seeing those words written down help us to understand them and pronounce them. Often writing them down helps us remember them too.
When starting to learn a language, it is best to focus on speaking and listening. Soon you will want to be more accurate or to make more complicated sentences. If you want to read in another language or write, grammar will become important. Do not be afraid of grammar. Think of it as Lego. Learn the different types of bricks and fit them together to form a sentence. Subject -verb- object and you have a simple sentence. Two bricks and some wheels and you have a simple truck. Start adding adjectives, adverbs or use other tenses and you will soon be building an impressive dinosaur.
Learning grammar will make you re-discover your own language and understand how it works. It will show you patterns, which will also make it easier to learn other languages later. Embrace grammar, it will give sense to what you are learning but don't let it block you. Always remember that if you have put your negative in the wrong place or used the wrong ending for a verb, people will still understand what you are trying to say and respect your efforts.
To learn a foreign language, learn lightly. Expose yourself to the language as much as possible, by listening and reading regularly on topics that are of interest to you but never force it and don't be so hard on yourself. Hum along to French music, picking up words and there. Have the news in the background while you're doing the washing-up (you will recognise names and places and will already be familiar with most of the events mentioned). You're curious about how to cook Coq au Vin? Google it in French. You like golf? Watch French golf videos on You Tube. Enjoy the language and make it part of your life.
Learning a foreign language will make your travels richer. It will also teach you to make mistakes and learn from it. It will teach you perseverance. It will stimulate and stretch your brain, open your mind to other ways of thinkig and other cultures.
To have another language is to possess a second soul
This is something Charlemagne said. Who knows? The French version of your could be a very different person.
