Our Unit 871 Instructor, Nick, provides a common teacher’s tale and how to productively utilize “Because it just is” when teaching grammar.
Every ESL teacher knows the look. A student raises their hand, eyes bright with curiosity. They ask a simple question about a phrase. They want to know the “why” behind the grammar. I look at the sentence, then I look at them. My heart sinks a little. I know the answer they want does not exist.
The Search for the Rule
Students love rules. Rules are safe. They provide a map for a difficult language. When we teach the past tense or plurals, we give them a formula. It feels like math. If you follow the steps, you get the right answer. However, English is not always logical. It is a collection of history and borrowed words. Sometimes, the map just ends.
A Global Pattern of Confusion
Whether I am teaching in Spain, Saudi Arabia, or now in Vietnam, that moment of confusion is the same. Students everywhere want a bridge of logic to cross. They crave a solid structure. But in every country, I eventually have to deliver the same difficult news. Some parts of English simply do not follow a pattern.
A Moving Target
To make things harder, English is a moving target. Languages are evolving faster than ever before. What was “correct” twenty years ago might feel outdated today. New words appear every week. Common “errors” often become the new standard through frequent use. This means the rules are constantly changing. We cannot treat English like a static museum piece.
When Logic Fails
Last week, a student asked about “prepositions of time.” We use “in” for months but “on” for days. That is a clear pattern. But then they asked why we say “in the morning” but “at night.” I searched my brain for a deep linguistic reason. In the end, I had to be honest. “It is just like that,” I said. The student looked confused.
Embracing the Chaos
I tell my students to treat these moments like meeting a new person. You don’t ask why someone’s name is David; you just accept it. You learn their name and move on. We must encourage students to stop over-analyzing everything. English is messy and strange. Sometimes, the best way to learn is to stop asking “why” and start saying “okay.”
Teaching these exceptions is a challenge. However, it also shows the beauty of the language. It is a reminder that communication is about shared understanding. Sometimes, the rules simply have to fall apart.