Throughout the history of foreign language education, the role of grammar has changed depending on the needs and priority of dominant methods and approaches; however, “how to teach grammar” has always been and is still very critical and controversial question in language education. This article first presents various perspectives on the pedagogical value of grammar, including communicative language teaching. Next, it suggests the latest perspectives on the role of grammar in teaching Spanish as a foreign language based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (2002) and its action-oriented approach― a theoretical framework for teaching and learning foreign languages. Finally, this study examines how the two contemporary Spanish textbooks cover grammar: Nuevo ven 1 (2003) and Agencia ELE 1 (2008). In evaluating the two textbooks, the article first presents the comparative analysis on the general organization and then conducts the comparison and contrast between the approaches of grammar and how much the grammar has been conducive to develop and enhance communicative activities. Based on this study, this article will focus on the differences in the role and methods of teaching grammar in communicative approach and action-oriented approach.