Students' Perceptions of Grammar - Essay Example

Grammar has been a basic in schools for many years. Writing in a legible manner and according to universally accepted rules has been the hallmark of an educated person for as long as grammar has been emphasized. This does not mean that students have always had a favorable view of grammar or the study of this subject. Today more than ever before, the view held by students regarding grammar is decidedly negative for two main reasons. The first reason students today have a negative attitude towards grammar is that it appears to be antiquated.

Students today append more time communicating through written medium that their parents did. The writing, sending and receiving text messages occurs many times throughout the day. A generation ago, much of the communication that is texted between family and friends today would have been conveyed using a telephone. Writing is more frequent, but proper grammar in a text is considered optional. The way students write today in their most frequent forms of communication does not require proper grammar so grammar seems unnecessary to them.

The second reason students do not view grammar favorable is because it is dull stuff to learn. Grammar instruction is notoriously time consuming, requiring the memorization of many rules that have to rhyme or reason. Students that have been trained to think critically will question the reason for some rules because they will grow bored and restless. As a result, grammar classes have the reputation for being long, dull and pointless.