Bridging the Communication Gap: The Lasting Impact of Grammar Instruction

Written By Ms. Deanna Heikkinen

National assessments reveal a troubling reality every year: nearly 75% of 8th and 12th-graders in the United States are not proficient in writing. Public school students, in particular, make 51% more writing errors than their private school peers.
This is not just an English class problem but a communication crisis affecting students across all subjects.

Why Grammar Matters Everywhere
Grammar is not just a list of rules to memorize for English class. It is the foundation for clear thinking and effective communication. When students master grammar, they can organize their ideas logically, express themselves confidently, and avoid misunderstandings in every subject, from lab reports to math explanations and group discussions.

Unfortunately, most students do not receive enough focused grammar instruction. Studies show that writing is rarely practiced outside of English Language Arts, and many students spend less than the recommended 30 minutes a day on writing activities. This leaves significant gaps in their ability to communicate clearly in essays and across all subjects where explanation, persuasion, or analysis is expected.

Closing the Gaps: How Our Grammar Classes Help

Grammar Foundations (Grades 4–7)
Younger students often struggle with the basics: constructing clear sentences, using punctuation correctly, and understanding how words fit together. Grammar Foundations addresses these needs by:

  • Breaking down parts of speech and sentence structure so students can build strong sentences

  • Teaching punctuation and tense consistency, essential for clarity in writing and speaking

  • Using sentence diagramming to help students visualize how language works, strengthening both reading and writing skills

Advanced Grammar (Grades 8–12)
Older students often face more complex challenges: writing longer, more sophisticated sentences, using advanced punctuation, and ensuring logical connections between ideas. Advanced Grammar helps students by:

  • Teaching compound, complex, and compound-complex sentence structures for nuanced writing

  • Exploring advanced verb tenses, moods, and punctuation for greater precision

  • Practicing active and passive voice, parallelism, and agreement to strengthen writing in every subject

Through practical application and creative exploration, students develop the fluency and precision they need to succeed not just in English but in every academic and real-world setting.

Grammar: A Tool for Lifelong Success
Strong grammar skills empower students to communicate ideas, collaborate effectively, and think critically—skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Whether drafting a research paper, presenting a project, or simply explaining their reasoning, students who understand grammar have the confidence and competence to succeed in any field.

Our Grammar Foundations and Advanced Grammar classes bridge the gaps left by inconsistent instruction, giving students the tools they need to thrive as writers, thinkers, learners, and leaders.

Ms. Deanna Heikkinen

Deanna has been teaching writing, history, literature, and art history to students in grades 2-12 for over six years. Previously, she was a tenured humanities professor at Los Angeles Valley College, specializing in the Great Books of Western Civilization, world history, Native American history, and anthropology. Deanna's extensive background supports her work at RWC in test prep, academic support, and custom lessons. She holds a doctorate in education, master’s degrees in history and anthropology, and bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and art history. Her archaeological work focused on Ancient Egypt, including excavation and textile analysis, and she has completed IEW’s “Teaching Writing: Structure and Style” teacher training program.

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