Srejon Datta :
Grammar is a linguistic input by which a foreign language can be learned and taught structurally. Besides, grammar is the formal prescription about how language should function, and grammar or the grammar rules decide whether the use of language is right or wrong. Pedagogical grammar is an aspect of linguistic grammar which is needed to start learning the English language in the EFL (English as a Foreign Language) context. The grammar we teach and learn by instructions at the academy is referred to as pedagogical grammar. Pedagogical grammar is a limited collection of structural rules of a language for forming an unlimited number of grammatically correct sentences. For learning the English language in the EFL context, learners usually start learning pedagogical grammar first by following instructions. During language learning, grammar guides as a formal guiding tool to monitor whether the language is being used correctly or not.
English language learners in Bangladesh start learning pedagogical grammar in primary schools. First of all, mostly the students of Bangla medium learn the tenses and vocabulary of the English language from theirs teachers; besides, they learn structuresfor making sentences. The teachers teach them to write sentences by using grammar rules. In order to make grammatically correct sentences, they learn tenses, vocabulary, sentence structures, parts of speech, articles, punctuations, etc. After getting admitted to high school, learners and English teachers put special emphasis on learning grammar rules. Subsequently, the teachers teach them in college the same applied grammar thoroughly.
In Bangladesh, teachers teach grammar rules by following Grammar Translation Method in educational institutions; and in this method, grammar learning starts with the memorization of the grammar rules. This traditional method includes four procedures: following books, memorizing grammar rules, practicing exercises by filling in the blanks, and taking grammar tests. For example, teachers teach the rules of the right form of verbs, and students remember these rules. During examination, students fill in the blanks by putting the right forms of verbs. Learning and memorizing the rules of pedagogical grammar need less effort; whereas, using language correctly in a written or spoken context requires more intellectual effort than learning the rules of grammar. In Bangladesh, most of the students’ exposure occurs in writing in English, but exposure to speaking occurs rarely.
Learning a language requires acquiring or learning four skills together: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In Bangla medium schools and colleges, teachers are only over-teaching grammar rules thoroughly by following methods which have been following over a longer period of time. However, it is a common result that learners of English medium learn the language more effectively than the learners of Bangla medium. In English medium institution, both instructors and students emphasize the English language learning. Altogether speaking, writing, pronunciation, reading, and listening are being practised simultaneously. In English medium schools, teachers and students communicate in English; thus, students are acquiring and learning the English language and its grammar spontaneously and contextually.
Using the language appropriately in context is required to be successful in the academic arena and in the job market. In order to be fluent users of English, the learners need to think, speak, write, listen, and read in English. Besides, teachers of the English language need to be able to speak in English. The learners must be inspired and compelled to communicate in English; there should not be any compromise. Grammar rules can be learnt but not at the cost of oral and written communication skills. Every learner might have their own grammatical errors; these errors have to be fixed gradually in order to write meaningful and grammatically correct sentences. The instructor should be assisting the students to learn the English language effectively and they should help the learners to enhance strong intuition about language.
The purpose of grammar learning and teaching has to be language acquisition or learning by igniting the Language Acquisition Device (LAD). In order to do that, the learners must use the language in context as much as possible. Therefore, the English language learners have to practise listening, speaking, reading, and writing regularly; and they must have to use the language in spoken and written contextsas much as possible on their part. Teaching and learning of grammar in context should be the principle of grammar teaching and learning in Bangladesh in order to enable learners to use the language correctly and competently.
(The writer is a final year student of English at North South University).
