Joanne Wagner: Grammar is important in both English and foreign languages. Where there is stickiness in understanding elements of English grammar, there is likely to be comparable confusion in teaching a second language. Grammar is a many-sided coin. Teaching is going to contain both inductive and deductive features. There is no magic in either one alone. Some of my college students are poor in basic grammar. Errors are made in written work, which remind me of ones committed by my fifth and sixth graders. This is scarcely something to be cheered. Relatedly, I am still waiting to see the "creative" cognitive wonders of students who presumably focus on "content" or "thought", instead of letting "basic grammar" befuddle them. Essentially, little is gained by skimping in grammar. The chickens indeed come home to roost, when teachers weak in this area are then trying to teach students another language. Relatedly, learning involves effort. While there are various useful educational aids, there is no substitute for effort. There really is no royal road to geometry or other disciplines. Sincerely, Richard Swerdlin ([log in to unmask])