The use of grammar terminologies in teaching French has been a point of hot debate for many years. In the discussions opposing different linguists and didacticians, one can go as far as questioning the very usefulness of grammar. This article proposes a perspective overview of different positions modelling the debate and presents specific ways out of its aporia; it is based on a study accompanying the teaching experience delivered to future teachers of French as a first, a second or a foreign language.

The use of grammar terminologies in teaching French has been a point of hot debate for many years. In the discussions opposing different linguists and didacticians, one can go as far as questioning the very usefulness of grammar. This article proposes a perspective overview of different positions modelling the debate and presents specific ways out of its aporia; it is based on a study accompanying the teaching experience delivered to future teachers of French as a first, a second or a foreign language.