5.2. STRATEGIES FOR LEARNING GRAMMAR LANGUAGE LEARNERS ARE OFTEN FRU...

1.5.2. Strategies for learning grammar Language learners are often frustrated by the disconnection between knowing the rules of grammar and applying those rules in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This disconnect reflects a separation between declarative knowledge and procedural knowledge. Declarative knowledge is knowledge about something. Declarative knowledge enables a student to describe a rule of grammar and apply it in pattern practice drills. For example, declarative knowledge is what you have when you read and understand the instructions for programming the DVD player. 9 Procedural knowledge is knowledge of how to do something. Procedur al knowledge enables a student to apply a rule of grammar in communication. Procedural knowledge is, for example, what you demonstrate when you program the DVD player. Procedural knowledge does not translate automatically into declarative knowledge; many native speakers can use their language clearly and correctly without being able to state the rules of its grammar. Likewise, declarative knowledge does not translate automatically into procedural knowledge; students may be able to state a grammar rule, but consistently fail to apply the rule when speaking or writing. To address the declarative knowledge and procedural knowledge dichotomy, students can apply several strategies.