Such a good but subjective topic. In my opinion, I think language is about communication, so if we can understand each other, that's the most important thing. If you are trying for a job where a high-level of English is the primary language, that might be a bit different, but if it is just for conversation then communicating ideas is the most important factor. I personally don't think you can gain much verbal fluency by "reading grammar rules" anyway, so you are probably picking up on better structures and grammar just by talking to native speakers. And finally, I wouldn't want to talk to someone who was annoyed by my grammar in a second language, that sounds insufferable.

Since becoming an EFL teacher, I have developed the problem of noticing language mistakes in the speech of non-native speaker friends. It's very annoying. These mistakes didn't used to bother me much but now I get annoyed with myself that I pay so much attention to them. 

Language is for life and it would be a bore if your native speaker friends corrected you a lot. Your mistakes may strain them occasionally but that's life - you're speaking their language and the strain of them having to learn yours would be much greater. 

Hi Carol,

I agree with you.  I think communication is the most important aspect of learning and speaking a language.  Native speakers make grammar mistakes or blatantly ignore grammar rules when they are speaking all the time.  Of course, it depends what your ultimate goal is with learning English.  I think that if you are trying to advance in a career where English is necessary, it may be more challenging to advance to high-level positions with the company if you make a lot of grammar mistakes when you speak. However, for most entry to mid-level positions, it is more than acceptable for a non-native speaker to make grammar mistakes and not speak perfect English.

Another point is that English is spoken as a second language by so many people throughout the world that I think native speakers are quite used to hearing grammar mistakes and accents from non-native speakers. 

I have an example from the other day just to show you how common it is for native speakers to ignore grammar when they speak.  The other day at work, a co-worker asked me "Mike, how old you is?" (instead of "How old are you?")  He is a native English speaker, and he knows the proper way to ask that question, but he naturally speaks that way likely because that is how people around him spoke while he was growing up and learning how to speak.  My opinion is that the way we speak the language is a part of who we are and reveals our individual histories.

So I say celebrate our differences and our unique history that is reflected through the languages we speak.  I hope my opinion provides you with some of the insight you were looking for. (<-- also, English grammar elites hate when someone uses a preposition to end a sentence.  I love it though.)  :-)

Hi Terecia Elshinta,

Chinese people never care about mistakes. As long as you can speak out a little sentences, we will feel surprised. Sometimes we might laugh at improper words that you spoke, but that laugh doesn't mean real laugh at, instead, we think it is so humorous or cute to say so. Sometimes, Chinese people use improper words to Chinese native speakers for jokes too. 

Hi Robert,

Thanks for your correction. I'm really bad at tenses. I have read so many grammar books about tenses, but I just cannot use it properly. I prefer present tense at anytime. LoL. Thanks for your suggestion, from my bottom heart, I will try to read more and write more.

However, I don't think I can do that in oral/ communication. If I think about which kind of tense I should use, then I will not be able to speak fluently. The conversation will have a lot of pause, this is insufferable.

Hi Richard,

Thanks for giving those good examples. You make me understand that Grammar is not horrible, logic is the most horrible thing in conversation. I can make grammar mistakes, but I should not make logic mistakes to let the listener misunderstand me.I should learn how to use simple words to express complex ideas to make the others understand me.

Thank you , all of you.