This is a comment from Bryan Whitney that I want to be a part of this thread:
…I feel like this [combining CI with grammar instruction] is a huge relief to hear. Trying to mix the two and make them “work together” just doesn’t work, but dividing our time between the two (in whatever percentage that makes sense for your situation) does relieve a lot of stress. For one thing, teaching grammar and vocab is a piece of cake, so it makes my job easier if I take a day or two (or part of class) each week to do it. Also, students feel like it’s more “rigorous” and that they’re “doing/learning something” concrete. Sure, according to the research it’s not really helping them acquire the language, but if it reduces our stress, and truthfully it’s easy for the students as well. Talk about the grammar/vocab, take some notes, fill out a worksheet, correct it together, turn it in- wash, rinse, repeat. Then, when we do CI they will also be appreciative of it. Students feel like they’re “learning”, parents feel like you’re “doing your job” and it makes the CI activities more fun for everyone….