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Sir, English grammar is not my strength

Hot 2655 views. 2017-5-6 17:12 | unexpected, received, comment


It was unexpected that I received a commentthe following are the original words from a Chinese gentleman:

 

“As an old English teacher, I can hardly bear such low grammar mistakes as like talk about or worry about lose. Dear editor is urgently asked to check up your grammar mistakes.

 

By the way, I can accept your views but not your poor expressions. Sorry for my pointing out your mistakes out of my burning for this international language, which cannot be profaned so cheaply.”

 

Actually, I am not angry at all as previously a professional native English grammar checker told me the same thing in a polite manner.

 

Then I wrote one article: Sorry, mate, my English writing is far from perfect”


The world won’t end, please don’t be in a hurry. I understand English grammar is not my strength, please don’t regard my writing as a textbook. Englishpassion is just a platform where I can express true feelings if one is interested in, then he or she is most welcome join, otherwise, please just ignore it. 


My writing mainly focuses on innovative ideas, which encourages Chinese English-lovers to learn a second language with self-confidence. The aim of English learning is not to scare them: “Hey, guys, you have made so many grammar mistakes, please stop it, what a shame, if you write and speak English like that.”


I remembered the first year when I was in Latrobe Uni, Chisholm College, a Singapore lady gave me the same advice: “If you can’t speak English properly, please keep quiet, the less you talk, the fewer mistakes you will make.” However, my Australian English teacher inspired me: We learn English by making mistakes.”


 Richard Branson said: You don't learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over. 


Mistakes are the usual bridge between inexperience and wisdom.     – Phyllis Theroux

 

That’s very true, learning a language is like learn how to swim or drive, the more practice the better.


The most important thing is courage, if you are afraid of jumping into deep water or driving on the road, then how could it be possible for you to become a good swimmer or a skilled driver. The same as mastering English; and I would like to say: please don't be scared of making grammar mistakes, the more speak and write the more accurate and fluent your English will be.”

In our traditional way of English teaching, we focus too much on grammar.


We do multiple choices, filling in blanks, true or false. We learn grammar from such thick books one semester after the other.


Why quite a lot of Chinese Uni students have been learning English for more than 10 years, but still can’t speak and write proper English sentences which express their ideas freely.


The main problem is that they pay too much attention to grammar in speaking and they are trying to avoid making mistakes, as they are afraid of people to laugh at them if they speak broken English. 


Teachers tell us what’s wrong with our English essay as they pointed out heaps of grammar mistakes we’ve made, which completely discourage us, we think we are useless and we are not supposed to write a good article. We are hardly been told how wonderful ideas we've got from our English writing although our grammar is not perfect, but no worries, we can make improvement by writing more.


It is a bonus if your grammar has reached an advanced level. If not, it’s ok, please stop worrying too much about it. The main thing is that whether native English speakers can understand your meaning when you talk with them; whether they can catch the general ideas of your writing. If you feel stressed, I guess you will have a problem for speak out one single English sentence. Because you are very nervous about speaking improper words, people will criticize you, no, they won’t. 


In real life, no one will care about your grammar while talking, as long as they know what you are trying to tell them.


It’s unlikely for us to speak or write outstanding English without practicing, even native English speakers have less grammar knowledge than us. The majority high educated Aussie friends told me: “Sorry, your grammar must be better than mine, my grammar is terrible.” 


I have been in Australia for more than 13 years, I know my spoken and written English is not perfect, but who cares as long as I can find a job in an Aussie-run company, which means my English ability has been accepted by the society. I communicate very well with managers and colleagues; I have no problem talking with clients through phone calls.


I can tell you I have never thought about grammar when I talk in English, otherwise, people will get annoyed of my speaking speed, and instead I have to focus on the content rather than grammar.


 Even when I write emails to clients, no one says anything to my grammar mistakes as long as I can solve problems for them. Guys, it’s like you, I have been learning English grammar for so many years in China, but I am still very confused in writing. To be honest, sometimes I even don’t know how to use present tense or past tense. 


But I don't’ think my English writing will be improved dramatically if I read those grammar books over and over or find a person check for me. It’s not that helpful I am afraid.


The only way to make an improvement is to keep reading original version English books and writing English articles, then my English will be above others after a few years. The same as you, guys, please read English books which attract you or watch English movies, if you keep going on, I believe your English will reach a higher level.

Please ignore those guys who try to discourage you for the benefits of themselves. So far so good, almost all native English speakers have supported my English writing. By the way, I have around 100 local followers from Melbourne; none of them says anything wrong to my writing. Instead, they give me suggestions in a very polite and nice way.


So why worry so much about grammar mistakes, the first step is that you should have enough confidence to speak out and write down first English sentence, that’s the way you are going towards your destination—being perfect.

 

To be an outstanding teacher, who should learn how to inspire students to do what they truly love rather than only point out their weaknesses, which discourage them and in the end, they lose passion and desire for being excellent.


please join wechat subscription Englishpassion, if you enjoy my blogs, thanks



Post comment Comment (5 replies)

Reply teadrinking 2017-5-7 19:26
In daily use, we do not care too much on the grammar. Sometimes it does not bother us to communicate so long as we can efficiently transit the information to each other. Then, it is Okay.

When words are officially to issue as an instrument to spread or record information, then it seriously needs editors to check out if there are mistakes of spelling and some problems of grammar.

Therefore, that is the difference.

Many of us just got stuck and pay too much on the grammar use. An efficient method of grammar improving is to read and then to write. Those original books help us improve and get better in our knowledge of grammar. Then we try to write something, such as a blog whatever it is a diary or a poem, or some others. In the process of writing, our ability of grammar mastery definitely gets improved.

Anyway, the first step is to speak out and write something, do not care too much of mistakes making. We can not make sure that we can preciously use words all the time, while we can avoid making more mistakes by exercising.
Reply sweetolive 2017-5-8 16:27
teadrinking: In daily use, we do not care too much on the grammar. Sometimes it does not bother us to communicate so long as we can efficiently transit the informa ...
thanks

true, I can't deny that grammar is essential.

However, no one can write perfectly without practicing over and over.

We should read English books, it's an effective way to improve our  language and open our mind to a brand new world.

have a lovely day
Reply Huaxia 2017-5-17 20:34
i learned english just few days,about grammer or tense or vocabulary or others… even i don't know whether you understand my words  or not,but i know one thing,i like read your articles and try my best to understand your meanings more.
Reply sweetolive 2017-5-18 11:28
Huaxia: i learned english just few days,about grammer or tense or vocabulary or others… even i don't know whether you understand my words  or not,but i know  ...
your English is very good, I don't even notice too much about grammar when I read articles as long as i understand the general meaning :D
Reply Huaxia 2017-5-18 20:57
sweetolive: your English is very good, I don't even notice too much about grammar when I read articles as long as i understand the general meaning :D
thanks,i will keep studying.

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