The grammar trap: 5 mistakes most learners make - Steve Kaufmann

Open Forum
1

New video alert! Watch Steve break down five common grammar misconceptions that hold language learners back:

3 Likes
2

There are also different kind of grammar books with different approaches, goals, suiting different type of learners.

  1. Some grammar books are like dictionary they function more like reference and are very detailed, comprehensive. I think most people are turned off by these type of books. I just online resources if I need detailed info.
  2. Some are more progressive they try to teach in a progressive manner.
    • Easy French Step-by-Step
    • Grammaire progressive du francais
  3. Some are based on passages/short stories with some grammar notes in each chapter,
    • Assimil
  4. Recently came across a long novel version with grammar notes.
    • Le Café des Langues/The Language Café : A Bilingual French Grammar Novel Series
  5. Some try to teach a simplified version.
    • Simplification of French Grammar: A guide for the confused learner
  6. Some other forms of simplification
    • How to cheat at french verbs: The tips, tricks, secrets, and hacks.
  7. Some do comparison with your native language.
    • English Grammar for Students of French
    • Side-By-Side French and English Grammar
  8. Some teach by showing common mistakes people usually make
    • Correct Your French Blunders
5 Likes
3

I don’t think any of us would disagree with his conclusions. And his claim that you don’t need to worry if you make mistakes is backed up by research: forcing students to get it right first time negatively impacts progress. I was though surprised he repeatedly referred to the discredited Krashen theory. Interestingly he has previously stated that he likes to read a short summary of the grammar of a language that he intends to study, just to get a basic overview of what to expect. It sounds sensible.

I’m not convinced that these are mistakes that most learners make, though I am ready to be corrected by experienced L2 teachers. Most language learning methodologies do not require the student to learn grammar from the start, nor do they require them to get it right first time.

2 Likes
4

It really depends on what ‘studying grammar’ means to you. Personally, I believe that neglecting grammar entirely leads to negative consequences. While it depends on your specific goals, avoiding grammar undoubtedly leads to making mistakes and speaking or writing in a very basic way. Correcting these deeply ingrained habits later on is much harder than if you had started with a solid foundation. In my experience, using grammar actively is one of the best strategies available. For instance, when I take a grammar chapter—let’s say, on German verb position—I don’t just memorize it. I create sentences, use AI to refine them, and then write them down, read them, and listen to them. This allows me to get Comprehensible Input (CI) while focusing on grammar in a way that’s far from the ‘old school’ approach. Furthermore, this active focus serves as a vital bridge; it makes the eventual jump from casual conversational English to educational or business language significantly smoother. I also disagree with the idea of not receiving corrections. They are essential to the process, though they should be timed correctly. Being corrected constantly while engaging with people outside can be frustrating. While it’s true that children are corrected by family and school, we are not children, and we shouldn’t limit ourselves to learning like them.

4 Likes