Is grammar important?
It matters, but not as much as we were taught. Traditional schooling (and early IELTS lore) over‑emphasised complex structures. High scorers today point to the real driver: natural, fluent communication. Grammar and vocabulary are tools to serve that goal.
In class:
- Prioritise meaning first. Help learners get their message out before you correct.
- Use delayed, focused feedback: after the task, choose one or two issues to improve rather than fixing everything at once.
- Keep the listener in mind. Communication is about the other person understanding you — not about displaying fancy forms.