Resolved, that the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) affirm the position that the use of isolated grammar and usage exercises not supported by theory and research is a deterrent to the improvement of students' speaking and writing and that, in order to improve both of these, class time at all levels must be devoted to opportunities for meaningful listening, speaking, reading, and writing; and that NCTE urge the discontinuance of testing practices that encourage the teaching of grammar rather than English language arts instruction. (Hoffman, 2006, p.l)Most educators agree that grammar does need to be taught. Grammar is not necessarily fun or exciting to teach or learn, but students can only learn to express themselves well using complete sentences. Without being instructed in grammar,
students would not learn the rules or usage by themselves (Oldenburg, 2005). "People associate grammar with errors and correctness. But knowing about grammar also helps us understand what makes sentences and paragraphs clear and interesting and precise"
(Haussamen, n.d., p. 1). "In learning about grammar, children develop an understanding of how language works and they are subsequently able to use language more effectively" (Fellowes, 2007