7 Useful Tips For Learning Grammar in a Foreign Language

What are the essential parts of learning a foreign language? Pronunciation, vocabulary, and, of course, grammar.

Most people will agree that learning grammar rules and patterns can be boring, except for linguists.

But grammar is important for one simple reason: you can't speak, nor even learn new words and phrases if you don't know how to use them.

And that's where grammar comes in.

Grammar, however, doesn't have to be that boring. There are many ways you can learn it and have fun.

So continue reading because we will provide you 7 useful tips on how to learn grammar in a foreign language.

Ready?

Let's go!

Don't Be Obsessed With Grammar

Even though it is essential, in some cases you can live without it.

Yes, those cases are pretty rare but they exist.

When you start learning a new language from scratch, learning grammar right then maybe isn't the best idea.

You may feel overwhelmed and scared with so many rules and you can even make up your mind and leave the language 'under the bed.' And you definitely don't want to do that.

So, when you start learning a new language, concentrate on some basic phrases and expressions. After you learn them and you can for example say your name, greet someone, or thank someone for the compliment, you've got into the language and you are ready to go further in the details.

Get to Know The Language

Before you dive into grammar rules, patterns, and exceptions give yourself some time to feel the language.

By this, we mean reading first. That means that you first have to learn the alphabet or characters, depending on your target language, and to read and then start with the grammar.

Even though reading only can't help you learn grammar, it can actually help you see how it works and what it looks like in sentences, its structure, and how different words get along together.

When you start learning the grammar, it will be a little bit easier because you've already seen it in practice.

Expose Yourself to Grammar

Just like you expose yourself to the language and that way you expand your vocabulary and improve the pronunciation, the same way you can do that for learning grammar. And it's quite easy.

It means that you read, listen and watch as much as possible. Over time, you will understand the patterns sentences or phrases are made of and you will comprehend the logic.

For example, if you want to get that through text, you have to find something you can understand more or less.

Then you have to make sure that all this isn't completely passive, which means that you have to find something that will make you actively participate.

Rewrite the text several times. Then rewrite it in different tenses or switch the words so that the meaning remains the same.

Don’t Forget About Videos

Visual content has always been very helpful for practically learning anything.

Therefore, why shouldn’t you use that advantage to practice grammar?

Videos are mainly created by native speakers with situations you can use every day and simple and detailed explanations of grammar rules.

YouTube videos, for example, are one of the fun and useful ways for improving and practicing grammar.

If you are a German student, watching Youtube videos for German learners and you won’t struggle with its complicated grammar anymore.

Or if you’ve decided to improve your Spanish, there are plenty of fascinating YouTube videos for learning Spanish grammar you’ll find both entertaining and useful.

Conversational Grammar Vs. Academic Grammar

Even though every language has one grammar, there is a difference between the grammar we use in everyday conversations and academic grammar.

If you use something during the conversation and it's different from writing, it doesn’t mean that it is incorrect.

Using conversational grammar is one more way to learn and practice the language, therefore grammar as well, with native speakers.

Do you remember traditional, old-fashioned classes where you’ve learned academic grammar? And then, after you meet a native speaker, and start speaking with him, the conversation sounds weird and too formal.

Today’s way of learning a foreign language is different. The point is that you can speak the language with the locals, even if that means using conversational grammar, which is perfectly acceptable.

Learn From Your Mistakes 

A big fear of any language student is making mistakes. 

Saying something differently or not saying a sentence the way it should be said can be humiliated for us.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. That is, you don’t have to look at mistakes as something that can help you learn.

Imagine the situation: you started a conversation with the local in your target language, and you’ve used the verb tense the wrong way. Your speaker explained the mistake you’ve made and gave you several examples on how to use a particular verb tense. It might feel like the end of the world but don’t rush. You’ve learned something. You’ve learned when you shouldn’t use that verb tense in a particular situation and which one is acceptable to use.

If you are scared talking to native speakers, perhaps practicing with professional tutors may help you boost your confidence and realize that making mistakes isn't as scary as you think.

Follow Your Learning Style

We all are different people. We even like different food so it's perfectly natural that we learn languages differently.

Therefore, why shouldn't we learn grammar differently?

If something works for one person, doesn't necessarily mean that it works for others, too.

It means that you have to find your own learning style, the way you can learn and understand grammar better.

Some find it helpful learning from grammar books and doing exercises regularly. Others, for example, memorize grammar easily by playing games and using grammar apps.

Therefore, no matter which way of learning grammar you use, as long as it works for you just fine. After all, progress is what's important.

 

We know that some of you would rather skip learning grammar and jump into practicing pronunciation or writing.

But grammar is like glue. It holds all the parts of the language together, in one place.

Without it, you can't go far, nor even become fluent in your target language.

You can communicate without grammar but is that the way you want to go to the fluency path?

Of course, not.

So, take it easy, follow these tips and remember that practice makes it perfect.