Is it possible to learn English by just listening and speaking (without knowing formal grammar rules) [closed]

Solution 1:

Almost every human child that has ever lived has learnt one or more languages without being taught explicit grammar rules. In most cases, they acquire complete competence over the grammar of the languages by age 6 (though if there is a standard language, they may or may not have learnt the grammar of that standard, as opposed to the grammar of a different dialect).

Until the last couple of hundred years, most people who learnt other languages after early childhood did so without being taught explicit grammar rules. The degree to which they were competent in the grammar of the language they learnt would vary a great deal, depending on many factors, such as their age, the closeness of the new language to one they already knew, their motivation, and so on.

So in answer to your last question: native speakers of a language generally have full but unconscious command of the grammar of their language; if they have not been taught about the grammar, they are likely to be unable to explain the rules they used automatically.

Note that I am talking entirely about speaking and hearing: reading and writing is a different question, as those are abilities which come only with a certain amount of intentional effort at learning.

A conclusion from this is that it is never necessary to teach somebody the formal grammar of a language for them to become able to communicate in it; but it may be helpful for some people, especially if it is important to them to master a standard language rather than just be able to make themselves understood.

Solution 2:

The fact is that all native speakers of British or American English learn the English language without formal lessons in grammar, since those speakers learned the fundamentals of English at home, and learned the rules of grammar several years later. It is also true that native speakers of languages other than English also know grammar rules that most English speakers can't verbalize, even though, if educated they tend to follow those rules. [Note: the degree to which they follow the rules depends to significant degree upon the level of eduction of their parents, and the quality of their early education.]

I am a native speaker of English, and I was taught formal grammar rules from early in my eductional career. I've a homework sheet from second grade, in which the instructions were to underline the subject of the sentence once, and the verb twice. I had instruction in grammar and composition every year for 12 years of elementary and secondary education. I didn't have to take English composition in College, because I demonstrated sufficient proficiency in Grammar.

I will also note that there were grammar rules that I followed without being able to verbalize them, until I took German, and learned the parallel rules that applied in that language, and was then able to see the similar rule operating in English.

Solution 3:

Yes it's possible, your own progress would depend very much on your own abilities. However, without a grammatical basis you would very likely make many mistakes, which would become bad habits for the future.

The grammatical classes give you a firm foundation to begin interacting in a second language, and knowing these beforehand would give you a distinct advantage over a person with no grammatical basis, in the most part a greater confidence to openly communicate.

It really depends on your own learning/social abilities. And to add, the grammatical classes we receive as natives generally have nothing to do with the classes you learn as a second language. These ESL classes are designed to be objective in understanding various foundations of the language.

Hope this helps!