A response to Mulroy

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.