How to learn grammar in a foreign language
There are two ways to learn grammar as an adult foreign language learner, abstraction or memorization.
Method 1, learning grammar in a foreign language by abstraction
Adults learn grammar differently than children, we can use abstract thinking to understand patterns. Therefore, in simple grammatical languages like English and Spanish, learning grammar by rules is an effective way. That is learning grammar means learn the rules and most of the exceptions. However, what about languages like Russian or Polish? More words fall into exceptions rather than rules.
Brain differences with grammar
We are all different. Some people think learning grammar is easy by learning rules and they will just pick up a language’s grammar and be able to use it with ease. But my brain is not big enough to do this, at least at first. I think most people, well in fact almost all people I have known do it the old fashion way, hard work and memory.
Method 2, learning grammar in a foreign language by memorizing high frequency language patterns
Do not worry is you are can just speak grammar by learning just the rules. If you are not good with abstract grammar there is another way to learn grammar, and perhaps the best.
Many grammarians will cringe at this, but its a good way for us mere mortals. You memorizes the language. You memorizes passages and general conversational patterns. You memorizes entire dialogues by heart. Does this sound wrong? It works. It is another way of drilling. After a while you will just know how to conjugate or declinate. Ultimately your brain has to make grammar simply a reflex if you ever want to speak in a fluent way.
Drilling another form of learning grammar in a foreign language by memorization
I created a grammar site www.polishgrammar.com and this was based just on drills. Not rules. Yes learn some rules if you want, but if you want to learn grammar in a foreign language you should make grammar a reflex and that means memorization and drills. Drills is how you can learn grammar in a foriegn language. Memorization is ultimately how you learn grammar in a foreign language.
Best way to learn grammar
The best way to learn grammar for me is to memorizes passages, such as with the Bible. In the Bible contains grammatical structures of every kind exist or any classic book worth committing to memory. Then after looking at some of the rules and understanding it after the passages are in my head. This is the opposite way in which most people are told how to learn grammar in a foreign language.
2 responses to How to learn grammar in a foreign language
Good tips there! I think sometimes it can be a combination of all the things you have mentioned to really get a grasp of the grammar of a foreign language. I spent a while trying to learn the principles of grammar, and managed to under stand them all perfectly yet I was never really able to use it in conversation spontaneously until I’d spent time learning the language abroad. Being so surrounded by the language helped all the theory I knew slot into place!
Good insight.
I think learning a foreign language can be broken down into 2 components.
Vocabulary and grammar. Vocabulary is done with flashcards, post it notes memorization etc. Grammar is trickier and not so easy to figure out. High frequency language patterns is a good way of prioritizing.
I am trying to learn Chinese and writing software to help myself. Just now, I program a lot more than I study Chinese. Ooops:-)
Leave a reply to How to learn grammar in a foreign language