Within the first chapter of his book, entitled, "The War Against Grammar," David Mulroy strongely and openely gives his opinion on the teaching methods (and the lack thereof) for English Grammar in America.
He opens with showing the reader a response to an evaluations for his grammar course that a student gave. The student, having been asked if the purpose of the grammar course was fulfilled, replied, "There was no purpose." This is useful because it shows that:
1. The author, Mulroy, teaches Grammar himself and therefore is credible.
2. Current-day students don't know, or at least don't enjoy, much about grammar.
I can see why he'd respond like that. Actually, I can see several possible reasons why. When presented with something one doesn't understand, one tends to dislike and render useless the presented something. Also, when one knows of alternative means of doing something, other means serve no purpose other than doing things differently with the same outcome.
However, according to Mulroy, it isn't the same outcome. Students understand grammar enough to survive just by being surrounded by the verbal use of the language. But, when it comes to disecting, reconstructing, labeling, and learning about different aspects of English or other languages, they can't. Grammar is a vital and foundational aspect of language that leads to a direct understanding of more advanced aspects of the language. In other words, you can't teach anyone advanced ideas until they understand the basics correctly.
Mulroy also points out a continual lack of grammatical knowledge due to multiple factors. He brings up the NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) and how they have, for a time and to this day, backed up the idea that grammar is a lesser subject in regards to teaching English. A shift has been made to the emphasis of exression, rather than an emphasis of the particulars of the language. He draws a direct line of blame back to several outspoken individuals who spoke against the teaching of Grammar. People such as Peter Elbow who believed grammar distracted people from fully expressing because of the preoccupation with being correct with grammar. He also draws a line of blame back to the repeating cycle of clueless teachers and students. Teachers who weren't taught about grammar can't teach their students, who may end up teaching themseleves.
In my opinion, students really aren't taught about grammar as well as they should be today. I personally only remember being taught about the titles of certain types of words (like Noun and Verb). But really, I personally believe that expression is the most important thing about language. Grammar can enhance the ability to express, and it can also aid in the initial understanding of how to express, so grammar is a needed tool. Therefore, I think grammar should be initially learned and understood and then the shift to expression should be made.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Grammar, the beautiful non-abused step-child
I can't recall what a step-child is right now. I think maybe it is the child of a person who married into having said child under their parenting control. So really, the child is not their seed, and as a result, the child is not treated equally compared to the other (more useful) kids. That last paragraph should have either made the title make more sense or confuse you.
From here on out, Grammar is just a child, there is no step involved. The other kids, while not involved in our story, are the allegorical, and more openely taught, subjects of english teaching. The parents are current-day teachers. I'll leave the role filled by the neighbors for the reader to decypher.
According to most:
Grammar was once loved by her parents. They bragged about her non-stop every chance they got at the neighborhood parties. So much so that the neighbors got tired of the very mention of Grammar's name. But, Grammar's parents knew that it was best that the neighbors understood everything about Grammar, so they kept on talking about her.
According to few (and drawing from a certain someone who wrote a certain book for a certain class):
The constant nagging by the neighbors eventually got to Grammar's parents, because they were rather easily influenced individuals. A neighbor even went as far with the hate of Grammar as to start a crusade against Grammar, changing the views of parents nation wide. The Parents eventually broke off their marriage because of all the mental strain brought on by the neighbor's dislike for Grammar. Grammar lived life as an orphan after that, never being spoken of again by her parents.
What seems to be happening today (also drawing from a certain author of a certain book):
Eventually, Grammar's mother decided to take Grammar back in and give her a home. However, in the time between getting a divorce, and reclaiming Grammar, mother lived as a street-side prostitute who also worked as an auctioneer. This way of living lead to mother being very weak and without most of her voice. As a direct effect, mother could hardly speak of Grammar to the neighbors. Father ignored Grammar without remorse. The neighbors were happy, but upon entering as a student at the local college, they find that they have a hard time being taught English and writing.
...
In other words, teachers once taught grammar. Students and other people didn't enjoy it. At some point a movement occured leading to grammar no longer being taught (to the same degree). Now people are realizing what happens when grammar isn't taught.
What happens? I don't know, but it has something to do with prostitution and divorce.
From here on out, Grammar is just a child, there is no step involved. The other kids, while not involved in our story, are the allegorical, and more openely taught, subjects of english teaching. The parents are current-day teachers. I'll leave the role filled by the neighbors for the reader to decypher.
According to most:
Grammar was once loved by her parents. They bragged about her non-stop every chance they got at the neighborhood parties. So much so that the neighbors got tired of the very mention of Grammar's name. But, Grammar's parents knew that it was best that the neighbors understood everything about Grammar, so they kept on talking about her.
According to few (and drawing from a certain someone who wrote a certain book for a certain class):
The constant nagging by the neighbors eventually got to Grammar's parents, because they were rather easily influenced individuals. A neighbor even went as far with the hate of Grammar as to start a crusade against Grammar, changing the views of parents nation wide. The Parents eventually broke off their marriage because of all the mental strain brought on by the neighbor's dislike for Grammar. Grammar lived life as an orphan after that, never being spoken of again by her parents.
What seems to be happening today (also drawing from a certain author of a certain book):
Eventually, Grammar's mother decided to take Grammar back in and give her a home. However, in the time between getting a divorce, and reclaiming Grammar, mother lived as a street-side prostitute who also worked as an auctioneer. This way of living lead to mother being very weak and without most of her voice. As a direct effect, mother could hardly speak of Grammar to the neighbors. Father ignored Grammar without remorse. The neighbors were happy, but upon entering as a student at the local college, they find that they have a hard time being taught English and writing.
...
In other words, teachers once taught grammar. Students and other people didn't enjoy it. At some point a movement occured leading to grammar no longer being taught (to the same degree). Now people are realizing what happens when grammar isn't taught.
What happens? I don't know, but it has something to do with prostitution and divorce.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
In the beginning:
I had a horrible time. Well, maybe not a horrible time. I can at least say I had a draining time. What exactly am I speaking of? What exactly drained me to the extent of expressing it through text over the internet? The answer: my first few days of my third year of college.
Yes, I know, there are people starving in Africa. Of course someone out there is having a harder time than me; things like this happen. We all live and thrive off of the lessoning of others. We kill to eat and degrade to feel better. Pretty much, within humanity and most things involved, happiness or betterment can not be achieved without some sort of detriment to something or someone else.
Assuming the idea just brought up is truth, then where is all the happiness being sucked out of students going? Is the evil Space Pope syphoning it off? Is Count Absorbant Sponge Cake absorbing it all? The answer to those questions is no. There was no point to the last paragraph, but I hope it entertained you.
The happiness really doesn't go anywhere by the way, we just allow it to vanish. There are a select few things that really do drain happiness; death and family get-togethers for example. But for the most part, we are the ones in charge of the happiness/sadness ratio.
There really is no absolute reason for my current drained state. I can name off a few of candidates, but as already stated, it is up to me whether or not these things drain me. Here is the list of possible draining factors:
1. More involved classes. I'm an excellent note and test taker. I can even write. Anything else and I have to try for it.
2. A partially new job. I don't like not knowing things. At work, that is all I do.
3. Family strife. I don't like arguments. I cause them by living though.
But, in the end, I'm sure I'll be fine. I'll cope and chill with the Space Pope.
Yes, I know, there are people starving in Africa. Of course someone out there is having a harder time than me; things like this happen. We all live and thrive off of the lessoning of others. We kill to eat and degrade to feel better. Pretty much, within humanity and most things involved, happiness or betterment can not be achieved without some sort of detriment to something or someone else.
Assuming the idea just brought up is truth, then where is all the happiness being sucked out of students going? Is the evil Space Pope syphoning it off? Is Count Absorbant Sponge Cake absorbing it all? The answer to those questions is no. There was no point to the last paragraph, but I hope it entertained you.
The happiness really doesn't go anywhere by the way, we just allow it to vanish. There are a select few things that really do drain happiness; death and family get-togethers for example. But for the most part, we are the ones in charge of the happiness/sadness ratio.
There really is no absolute reason for my current drained state. I can name off a few of candidates, but as already stated, it is up to me whether or not these things drain me. Here is the list of possible draining factors:
1. More involved classes. I'm an excellent note and test taker. I can even write. Anything else and I have to try for it.
2. A partially new job. I don't like not knowing things. At work, that is all I do.
3. Family strife. I don't like arguments. I cause them by living though.
But, in the end, I'm sure I'll be fine. I'll cope and chill with the Space Pope.
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