Why conversation and grammar are important for language learning
LikeAs a Spanish tutor, and having learned languages myself, I feel I have found the best techniques for learning a new language. Before this relevant discussion, let me tell you a story about me.
When I was 6 years old, I remember quite well, those were my very first days of classes in primary school. It’s probable the teacher had spent long time showing the colors, and suddenly she saw me, back there in the classroom, and asked me to write “verde” (green) on the blackboard; there I went, feeling everybody’s eyes on me; I just couldn’t remember all the letters, and was able to write just “ver”. The teacher asked me to remain standing for being, what: lazy? forgetful? distracted? I never ever, forgot such embarrassment; probably I cried in silence, or got red and blue, sight on the floor, feeling ashamed in class for the 1st time. One of so many, years ahead…
Now, coming back to conversation versus grammar. Hmm. Many of us have probably felt ashamed for not learning a language and feel scared when trying to speak or address somebody. Back to my youth, I remember myself extremely shameful; I attended The Anglo in Mexico (unique at that time) and for me, everybody seemed to learn faster and understand much better than me. I always paid attention. My father studied in Chicago four years, so he brought back home his American English (which mum didn´t like much); we all would sit on weekends to watch and listen ‘Cine Permanencia Voluntaria’; I recall listening was a must for my understanding of British English; I discovered myself speaking English for me, singing songs and, quite often, creating new stupid words just for me, when I heard lyrics I was unable to understand.
So, can one learn a language just by regular conversation? I think you definitely can, but it is void and incomplete, you need to know how to write and interpret sentences to read them. I would say you need 50% conversation and 50% grammar, unless you just intend to spend a nice time on holiday or sort of get an idea of the local words, and that’s it.
I must say that for me, an extraordinary way to learn English or Spanish, has always been by watching films or listening to music or podcasts of the language you intend to learn. I find it one of the best ways to learn: you listen to the language, you can rewind it and say it, savor it, enjoy or practice it, it´s something I always do; it helped me so much for improving my speaking, my pronunciation and I can feel the way people understand me. This, for me, is the best advice I can share with you for learning a language, whichever you choose. It has worked for me, a lot!
On the other hand, despite grammar may be seen as the ‘black wizard’ of English, when you are learning the language, you definitely need to study grammar and simply to learn it by heart. Let’s remember how the UK English originated from Germanic language (Anglo-Saxons); the celts also took part (very little, but yes!), and French as well. Not to forget that many every-day words in the UK are French in origin, such as avant-garde; force majeure, honesty, advice, habit, sport, debris, en-garde, etc.
Finally, if you remember the unforgettable ‘Love actually’, with Jamie as the writer and Aurelia, as the cleaning lady who falls for the writer, they both decided to take classes for the sake, and the possibility, of the re-encounter… and of love!
If you´re in need of Spanish lessons and would like more information or to schedule a lesson, don´t hesitate to contact me.