Hello and welcome to this Bizmates question and answer video series for Japanese businesspeople.
And today's questions is another common one, which is
How can I improve my grammar? OK, well let's look at this.
So first of all, is your grammar really weak?
You know, a lot of people say, no, my grammar is really good.
Or no, my grammar's not so good.
And they say, yeah you know Hika, I think my grammar's OK.
But I need to know all the grammar rules. I know some grammar rules but I want to learn all.
OK, but learning the grammar rules is not the best thing or not the best way to look at grammar. OK.
Don't think about the rules because your goal is not to know the grammar rules.
It's to use it correctly. And there's a difference, OK.
Before I became an English trainer, I didn't know many of the grammar rules, to be honest.
I could speak English but I didn't know the rules.
OK, so you don't necessarily need to know the rules to use it correctly. OK.
So what can I do? Well, one way to improve your grammar.
What I recommend is something called taking dictations. And that means listening to like a CD or something,
and writing it all down. Listen, write, listen, write.
And then check your answers. Check to see if it's correct. It's extremely effective for grammar.
Let me show you. I want all of you to get a pen and paper right now.
Please pick up a pen and paper, OK.
Because I'm gonna read a couple of sentences; I want you to write it down. OK.
You're not moving, please, please. Get a paper and pen. OK. This is a great exercise.
OK, I'm gonna read two sentences, please write it down. OK, here's the first sentence.
friends his with basketball play to likes Jim. I'll read it two more times.
friends his with basketball play to likes Jim. Did you get that? One more time?
friends his with basketball play to likes Jim. OK, let me read the next sentence. OK number 2.
Jim likes to play basketball with his friends. Yeah, I'll read it again.
Jim likes to play basketball with his friends. OK, I'm gonna read it one more time.
Jim likes to play basketball with his friends. OK, were you able to get that? Well let's look.
The first sentence was this. I said friends his with basketball play to likes Jim.
I hope you got it. No? I know it doesn't make sense. No, this sentence doesn't make sense. That's OK.
The second sentence was, Jim likes to play basketball with his friends.
Now, which sentence was easier? The first one or the second one?
Of course the second one. OK. But if you look carefully, they're the same sentence.
I just read it backwards. So look at the first one.
Jim, read from the back. Jim likes to play basketball with his friends.
You see that? They're the same sentence. It's just backwards.
Yeah, so they're the same number of words. I read it about the same speed.
I read them the both 3 times, same pronunciation but sentence one was much more difficult. Why?
The reason is there's no grammar. There's no meaning, there's no grammar. Yeah.
And people who have good grammar knowledge, OK, they know how the grammar works.
They are able to listen and write it easily. Yeah.
So that's why by taking dictations, listening and writing, your listening will improve.
OK, I'm gonna try another example. I'm going to read a few sentences.
Please continue to write this. It's a little bit longer. OK.
Are you ready? OK, here we go.
For the past 5 years, I've lived in a small town just outside of Toronto.
It's one of these places that no one ever visits, but you just read about in the news.
I'll read it one more time.
For the past 5 years, I've lived in a small town just outside of Toronto.
It's one of these places that no one ever visits, but you just read about in the news.
OK, now if you don't have enough time that's OK. You could stop the video and play it again.
But this is what I said. And if you look carefully and compare your answer.
If you got perfect, that's great. OK, of course your listening is good.
But your grammar is good. But if you've made some small mistakes like,
For past 5 years, you missed the "the". Or I've live in small city, you've missed the "a".
It's not a listening problem. It's a grammar problem. OK.
And by doing this listening, writing and checking, your grammar will improve for sure.
OK, so please try this in your free time, to improve your grammar skills.
OK, thank you.