Learning To Speak Good

Grammer hasn’t been consistently taught in schools for years. “Studies from as far back as 1963 have told teachers that it is useless and even “harmful” to teach diagramming, or for that matter any formal lessons on grammar. Students, according to the studies, retained little from old-fashioned grammar lessons, which stole time better spent on reading and writing. What’s more, they suggested that focusing on grammatical errors would inhibit the students’ creativity. As a result, grammar textbooks were long ago trashed and teachers were instructed to deal with usage problems one on one, when there was time. College education programs gave short shrift to grammar – and so, some veteran teachers say, many teachers don’t know it well themselves. But grammar, once the meat and potatoes of any child’s education, is back on the table.”