How should a first language be taught?

So do you have Chinese/Japanese keyboards? (I don't know why, but I'm sure it's a silly question...)

Hi Pieanne,

Hmmm...I haven't kept up with the latest tech. My old old computer has a Chinese word processor that recognizes phonetic input. As I type in the pronunciation, all matching characters pop up.

You can find character recognition pads in HK public libraries. I still haven't figured out how to use them, old-fashioned me...

Back on topic.............

Kids do not need to be taught grammar in order to use it in a way people around them can understand. They simply pick it up. In fact, since teachers are usually lacking modern linguistic knowledge, it is sometimes better if they are not taught it.

They do, however, need lots of exposure to standard English (for example) in order to able to use standard English. (grammar, spelling, etc) In order to use high-level vocabulary, they need exposure to that.

Since they read more and more things from their under-educated peers, they don't get so much of that kind of exposure as they used to.