There is a big difference between understanding the grammar
of a language and being able to speak that language well. You don’t need to
understand how a car engine
works in order to drive a car.And you don’t need to
understand grammar to speak a language.
Knowing grammar will, however, perhaps give you more
confidence to speak, as you will be less afraid of making mistakes. Almost
every grammar rule has an exception, so the best way to improve your English is
to practise as much as you can.
Jonathan Lewis has taught English in
France for six
years, and has worked for the French ministry of education (Education Nationale)
as teacher and examiner. In his native
England, he used to train young
people in sales and business administration. He doesn’t like the traditional
grammar-based approach to language learning, but prefers to teach communicatively, that is, by getting to students to talk in
class, while monitoring their use of language.