i watched a chinese travel show which was conducted in english and the guy's grammar was HORRIBLE. i was appalled because here he was, on national television with his poor grammar. i felt sorry for people who wanted to learn english. my mom was right by me and said "who cares? you can understand him still, right?" i nodded. someone with the worst grammar, spelling, etc. could chat with me and i could figure out what s/he might be saying (yes, i have been working with international students that long :P). i think people THINK grammar is the most important in studying a foreign language because it's easier to measure and they believe fluency is based on accuracy. however, as i said, language is organic and not a science, not technical like a machine. if you spend a lot of time trying to memorize rules, you'll be frustrated indeed (like me and the spanish subjunctive).

i can't believe you are the beauty in the photo.

as far a you speak a language there's grammar. correct or incorrect. but there is always grammar. just for you to understand: you may have only numbers or words. afterwards you can have mathematics and language, when you apply some rules. probably you still don't understand what i mean. see: you can do: 3+4-5x(2/7+5/6)= 87. This is mathematics, althought most of the people will have serious doubts you are doing mathematics. 3,4,7, 11, 34 is no mathematics. up, easy. dear, cook, machine; is no language. "Me no says you understanding". this is language, but maybe you are the only speaker of this language. You can't escape grammar. it is inside of you.

I agree to above comments. However, there are many people on earth who master the English grammar but cannot speak fulently. So, my recommendation is always "learn the language the way you learned your mother tongue". After you feel that you can communicate with people easily, learn the tricks of the grammar, then you'll be complete.

I agree with Kevin's answer. It is important that you can be understood. What's the use of "knowing" a foreign language if you can't communicate? But as a beginner, in my own opinion, grammar is not that important. What's far more important is that you can say what you want someone to know. (especially in emergency cases) example: "No understand English." "I not good... me sick. where hospital?" = These statements can be understood even with incorrect grammar, right? hehe x]] But if you are really serious in studying a foreign language then consider the grammar. :D