Why British Grammar Is Failing and How to Fix It

Jan de Vries · 2026-10-23

David Lott thinks we've been teaching grammar all wrong. And he's got a point. His new book, *Organic Grammar*, argues that the traditional rules-first approach is actually hurting literacy and writing skills. Instead of drilling kids on parts of speech, he says we should focus on how language naturally works. ### The Problem with Traditional Grammar Teaching Lott isn't just another academic complaining about falling standards. He's spent years in classrooms, watching students struggle with grammar rules that seem arbitrary and disconnected from real communication. "We teach grammar like it's a math formula," he says. "But language is organic. It grows and changes." That struck a chord with me. Think about how you learned to write. Was it through endless worksheets on subject-verb agreement, or by reading books and trying to imitate good writing? For most people, it's the latter. Yet schools keep doubling down on the former. ### What Organic Grammar Actually Means So what's the alternative? Lott's approach is surprisingly simple: teach grammar in context. Instead of isolated exercises, students learn how sentences work by analyzing real texts—stories, articles, even social media posts. The idea is to make grammar feel relevant, not like a relic from a dusty textbook. Here's how it works in practice: - Students read a short passage and identify patterns themselves - Teachers guide discussions about why certain structures work better than others - Writing assignments focus on communication first, correctness second It's not about abandoning rules entirely. It's about making them make sense. ### Why This Matters for Literacy The stakes are high. Literacy rates in the UK have stagnated for years, and employers constantly complain about poor writing skills among graduates. If Lott is right, the solution isn't more grammar drills—it's a complete rethink of how we teach language. > "Grammar isn't a set of rules to memorize," Lott writes. "It's a tool for making meaning. When we treat it as an end in itself, we lose the plot." That quote has stuck with me. It's a reminder that writing is about connecting with people, not impressing them with your knowledge of semicolons. ### The Road Ahead Will *Organic Grammar* change the curriculum? Probably not overnight. But it's sparking conversations among educators who are tired of seeing students fail. And that's a start. Sometimes all it takes is one person to say, "Maybe we're doing this wrong."