Calculus, by comparison, is built on firm rules about what you are allowed to do and what you can't, when cutting a shape up into pieces and rearranging them. The piece is arguing that it might be possible to make headway in calculus by just being exposed to usage, and the formal rules can be kept to later. That seems quite compelling.
Yep, I should have probably made that clear. Was more side commenting through the metaphor. In general, learning English like that works quite well, but then it throws you when you are then asked to conjugate the verb 'to be' in French class and nobody has ever asked you to ever conjugate a verb in English. You end up knowing how to use English, but do not learn the technical terminology required to dissect it.
I remember our English teacher giving us one single lesson on conjugation, and that was only because we were so confused by all the stuff about conjugating verbs in French class. Other than that I cannot remember us going near any kind of formal grammar.
edit - I just thought, it is also not that hard to construct a context in English where 'old little lady' can work.
I looked again at the little lady sitting across from me. At first, from her height, I had assumed her to be young. However now, looking closer, I could see she was a very old little lady indeed.