1) Grammar is a core component of language and defines its structure, consisting of phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. Understanding a language's grammar is essential for both teaching and effectively communicating in that language. 2) As the rules that govern sentence structure and meaning, grammar is vital for language teaching. While native speakers can communicate without conscious knowledge of grammar, being able to analyze and explain grammar allows teachers to effectively instruct students and identify errors. 3) For English teachers, knowledge of both English grammar and the grammar of students' first languages is important. This helps teachers understand common mistakes students make and tailor instruction to their needs.

1. Tesol Modul 4: Section A
What is the place of grammer in language teaching? How necessary is it for a
teacher of English as a foreign language to have knowledge of English grammer?
How necessary is it for the teacher to have knowledge of the grammer of the
students’ language o languages?
What is grammar? Linguists define grammar as a set of components: phonetics
(the production and perception of sounds), phonology (how sounds are
combined), morphology (the study of forms, or how elements are combined to
create words), syntax (how words are strung together into sentences), and
semantics or meaning. Because all languages are characterized by these
components, by definition, language does not exist without grammar. Basically,
grammar in a language is the ‘strings’ that pull the words together and give
meaning to its structure. Every language has its own grammar rules. Without
these rules it would be impossible for a teacher to teacher the language
effectively or for anyone to be able to communicate clearly. A native speaker may
be able to speak his or her native tongue without any grammatical errors because
he or she has been exposed to language from young. When it comes to writing he
or she would face difficulties as grammar wasn’t taught formally.
Grammar is vital part of a language and the teaching of grammar is crucial in
language teaching. It is grammar that makes it possible for us to talk about
language. Grammar names the types of words and word groups that makes up
sentences not only in English but in any language. As human being, we can put
sentences together even as children. For example, think of your own native
language. Name all tenses that you can find in own native tongue with their
corresponding uses and structures. Unless you are a teacher, or someone who
needs to have a very good grasp of this meta-language, more likely than you may
feel at a loss to answer that question. And that does not mean in any sentence
that you are not a terrific user of that language. What is more, by being able to do
so, you show an awesome command of the internal grammar of language
Grammar is usually associated with writing or speaking correctly or without error.
So knowing about grammar helps us to understand what makes sentences clear
and precise meaning should flow from one sentence to the next, carrying the
argument or point of view forward in a clear and concise manner. If you do not

2. use correct grammar and punctuation, or your sentences are too long and
complex, what you are trying to say will become unclear and the reader will be
unable to follow the text because the flow of meaning is interrupted. However
the manner in which students are instructed in lesson of grammar should be
tailored to meet their individual needs.
Understanding grammar will give a person better communication and thinking
skills making one a better listener, speaker, reader and writer. Beside grammar
also allows one to develop one’s own unique personal style of communication.
Knowledge of grammar enables a person to communicate effectively in any
situation, allowing one to form more successful and meaning relationship with co-
workers, friends and family. Grammar is also a means of organizing words, phrase
and clauses into meaningful communication and without it listening, speaking,
reading and writing skills will be effected.
As I mention above, there are rules that a learner of that language has to follow in
order to speak that language correctly. Insufficient knowledge of these rules will
only hinder the students’ ability to master the language. Will the mastery of the
rules of grammar make a student a better writer or speaker? Maybe not, but by
gaining a better understanding of how the language work, the student will have a
better knowledge of how to write grammatically correct sentences. Knowledge of
how grammar works will also aide a student to become a more effective writer
and a better speaker of that language. If there is no grammar, then there is no
order and beauty of the language is lost forever.
Therefore as an English teacher, educating learners, it's extremely necessary for
the teacher to know the grammatical structure of English whether is it the
conventional grammar teaching or the modern linguistic approach which goes
further in to explains certain sentence structure that are not explicitly taught.
Teacher also need to remember that student these days are likely to be speaking
to non-native as much as native speaker of English. Therefore, students are
concerned that the English they use is not going to confuse the person they are
writing or speaking to. Currently, an increase number of learners require English
for academic and occupational purpose. Hence grammatical accuracy is a major
consideration for them.
In a multiracial country like Malaysia, English teachers would know the common
mistakes of the students. Most Chinese student would say “I sit bus come” which

3. is a direct from their mother tongue. The Malay student would normally say
“morning-morning I come already” and the Indian say “eat it when it is hot-hot”.
It is indeed a challenge for the teacher to wean the student from using L1 or code-
switching’. Some experts feel that grammar is not import but if student are not
corrected, it becomes a habit and like all bad habits it is difficult to get over. The
English teacher must focus on teaching grammar in bits and pieces instead of
attempting to tackle an entire subject and concentrate on teaching skills most
relevant to the calling order to keep the student interested. Indeed good teacher
create good progress in response to the need of the student. So Knowledge of the
grammar of the students’L1 is not absolutely necessary for the EFL Teachers.
Thus, Learning of the grammar is an on-going process, while the road is long and
arduous, the mastery of grammar is the key that will enable an EFL student to
become a better speaker, writer reader and listener of English
Reference:
Jeremy Harmer: The practice of English Language Teaching
Brickfields Asia College – Diploma in TESOL, classroom handouts
London Teacher training College – Diploma in Tesol course notes. (Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia -2015)