A lot of language learning approaches I’ve read and heard about focus on learning as much vocabulary as possible, and not worrying too much about grammar, at least at first. For example you might focus on learning the most commonly-used phrases and words, and on using them at every opportunity. Later on you might learn a bit of grammar.
In the Russian lesson I listened to today, the tip of the day is to focus on learning a relatively small amount of vocabulary and learning how to use it in a variety of contexts, rather than learning a lot of vocabulary, and then not being able to use it very well. Once you can use the words you know grammatically, it’s not so difficult to add more vocabulary.
In another lesson in this course the presenter suggests that learning grammar from books and tables isn’t very effective, and that it’s best to learn it from lots of examples and exercises which focus on real colloquial language.
I’m finding the course very useful and like this approach. It introduces various aspects of Russian grammar gradually and gives you plenty of opportunities to practise using them.
What are your thoughts on this?
Sure, definitely learn the grammar first. I see this all the time with English learners from around the world. They have a good deal of vocabulary they have picked up from various places, but they murder the language and have a heck of a time getting to where they can use it professionally. If you get the grammar, the vocabulary is one dictionary lookup away, and you begin absorbing it unconsciously.
I agree, there should be a balance between grammar and vocabulary, but grammar should come first. As far as the “grammar from books and tables” vs. multiple examples of usage, I think everybody learns a little differently and it would be great if everybody could find the approach right for them. If I understand the basic grammatical principles first, I can make use of the examples, but I was never very fond of “parroting” of phrases without understanding why they are built a certain way. So, I am definitely a “book and table” person.
I see this approach in Say Something in Welsh too, where I’m noticing that in my tutoring sessions I know many structures and verbs but only like 10 nouns. Just like an approach that focuses only on grammar or only on one of the four skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing) it, it’s tricky to build up a higher skill level when you are losing balance right at the start.
I love the approach that teaches me grammar patterns as an adult learner, because it puts me in a position where I can demonstrate my skill quite early.