Quote:
Originally Posted by YuriTokoro
Hi, DougLewis.
I just want to make sure.
You say that you believe telling common example sentences is better than telling rules or grammar, when you teach English, don’t you?
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It very much depends on the situation.
It may be compared to learning to drive a car. Passing the written driving test does not make the student a driver. Practicing and driving well does. Of course the student must know the rules of the road, so the rules and the driving go hand in hand.
The young learn to speak first, the objective is communication. We learn numbers first, before we learn calculation.
With language, (later), when the fundamentals (basics) are in place, we can improve on the knowledge by learning the rules. Without the words and understanding of them though, one cannot learn the rules.
(Trying to learn the rules before the words would be like "Putting the cart before (in front of) the horse" - (A saying.))
If the vocabulary and flow of words is well developed for daily communication, it becomes easier to learn, comprehend and apply (use) the rules.
For most adults learning a second language--communicating well is the primary (main) objective. (Usually) The need is to have fluency and comprehension in a particular setting, a work place for example.
Immersion programs, (living with native speakers), is thought to be very effective (useful). I think of forum communication in the same light (being similar). A forum gives a chance to practice reading and writing.
A forum is probably not very effective (useful) for learning the correct rules of a language though, since we tend to write the same way as we would speak. We often speak differently than we write, especially if the writing was a test of using the rules.
Conversational (casual) language is often very different than formal language, which I suppose is a main point to consider when reading forum posts.
The objective (here) is to trade ideas and thoughts and exercise (use) the words we know.. or learn of new words and phrases.
If we all wrote at the level of "The cat sat on the mat," (child level) we would lose the chance to see new words and phrases and there would be fewer cases (times) where questions would be asked.
Asking questions is a great way to learn practical language useage.
Asking questions means, "Something new was seen and responded to (acted upon)."
If the post is difficult (hard) to understand, it gets ignored. If the post is too simple (easy) it does not offer challenge.
"It is a fine (thin) line for the writer to walk." (upon). :A saying:
(Meaning: "Hard to keep balance.")
(Meaning: "Finding the best level to use is difficult.")
It is better to let the "reader" decide what to read, not the "writer" or someone trying to act on behalf of the "reader." (censorship)
Everyone has a different style of writing.
It is good to see (be exposed to) many writing styles. Professional (paid) writers have distinctive (personal, unique) styles, they write the way they like to, not to please the reader.
That is a practical (common sense) way to look at language, it allows for individual styles and tastes. It can be an art form, like (similar to) painting a picture with words.
It is for the reader to decide what they would like to read.
What might be important is, "Questions spark (ignite/start) discussion." Discussion is interaction. Interaction expands knowledge.
Of course, the technical aspect of a language is also extremely (very) important. I am not saying it is not and encourage (urge) study of it for many reasons.
School is the best place to learn the correct (right) "rules" for a language though, not a public forum.
Coaching, mentoring or tutoring people in a second language is not teaching.
Qualified (certified) teachers in schools teach.
Coaching, mentoring or tutoring is about providing the student with a chance to practice, (hearing, speaking, writing).. to practice what the teacher taught the student in a formal (official) setting.
The two things, formal teaching and informal coaching should not be confused with each other, they serve two different purposes.