Can Grammar be Inquired Through Immersion?

       I feel that an ELL student must be taught grammar. However, I feel that immersing a student in the English language is important because there are times when a student should learn to communicate through interaction with native students. Teaching grammar allows the student to practice their new language and develop the skills necessary to write clearly and effectively, and it will also help the student to develop their oral communication with people in their community. In the video the woman told a story about an ELL student who had graduated high school and wrote a sentence for one of her requirements in college. Her grammar was awful because she learned English at a time when ELL students were encouraged to learn by immersing them in the English language, rather than teaching the student the correct fundamentals of grammar.

       Why is grammar important? Grammar is important because the words we use represent who we are. When we write a paper in school or talk in front of a group, it is important to convey our message in an accurate and meaningful way. If we do not have the capabilities of expressing our words in a clear way, then our message gets lost. People would start to wonder about your input and question what you have to say. Like the video pointed out, teaching grammar should not be about all the rules, but grammar helps us to display our message that is accurate and meaningful.

       From my experience in school, I feel that grammar is slipping away from our curriculum. We spend some much time on content for the big test at the end of the year, that the students are not mastering the material. The students are being introduced to the content and then it’s time to move onto the next lesson. An ELL student has the incredible challenge of learning a new language when they are being introduced to these skills. We have to find a way to teach grammar and teach it in a way that is meaningful and where the students will use it in their everyday writing. If we do this, then students will be able to articulate their thoughts and communicate effectively.