My good friend and colleague Annette Kramer, one of the wisest and most intelligent people I am privileged to know, has taken me to task regarding my grammatical responsibilities:
"Many teachers of all age-groups believe English grammar and logic should have been taught by someone else. This is anecdotal evidence rather than scientific -- my pool of data is restricted to 50 subjects.
These teachers of classes from first grade through the last year of graduate school all agree that it's not his or her job. The system is not designed for instructors of different age levels to collaborate. I didn't interview kindergarten teachers -- but I'm guessing they would say that learning good English comes from the home.
And now a Latin teacher is passing the buck as well."
I would like to direct the attention of my learned and honorable friend to a place farther down in the same offending Grammar? No Waste! entry:
"This is why I say: Grammar Is Good. English grammar. Latin grammar. Greek grammar. Any language grammar. It is grammar that allows students the ability to broaden and deepen their understanding of classical civilization, of classical history, of classical culture. How? Students who know grammar are critical readers and thinkers. That is the key."
I was commenting on how it came to pass that English grammar went by the wayside. There are many teachers of English who of course do more than pay lip service to the learning of grammar in English. I don't just comment (or la-ment) on the fact that students don't know grammar; I address the problem in my book. Pointing fingers (both the act and the digits themselves) helps not a whit. Grammar is everyone's responsibility. In the mastery of a foreign language, and in the true understanding of one's own, grammar is essential.