Social and political dimensions of communication in grammar instruction: what teachers should contemplate

Abstract

AbstractSuccessful language learning entails two levels of competence: adequate control of the grammatical system of the target language and ability to effectively communicate in pragmatic contexts. Espoused by the mantra of much inculcated communicative orientation in English language teaching and learning, the divination points to pedagogical trends which essentially jettison grammar instruction in the classroom. However, language is not merely a tool of communication but an instrument of social control, political power, and economic mobility, all of which require not only skills to “get your message across” by whatever means, but more importantly, the accurate use of and facility with language that has been codified and assessed formally by standardized tests. This paper critically examines the role of grammatical accuracy and its relation to communication in terms of social and academic functions of English and advocates a revival of currently penurious grammar instruction. Examples from both native and nonnative speakers of English are used to illustrate the interface between grammar and social and political dimensions of communication through language.