The English language
This letter has not been edited.
Frederick,
Learning a second language helps you immeasurably in your ability to properly use your first.
The more you know the more you know you know?
Posted by Charles B on May 31, 2007 03:30 PMWhat is Bushs` first language?
Posted by Sharon B. on May 31, 2007 04:30 PMWo ist mein Deutch?
Posted by Klaus on May 31, 2007 07:22 PMMr. Sage makes an excellent point.
No matter what one does or plans to do in life, the ability to communicate clearly and precisely (yes, in English), both verbally and in writing, is a skill that will serve a person well throughout his or her life.
Sadly, there are far too few people that can do either, mumbling barely coherent statements that employ generous amounts of “street talk” and/or offering barely coherent writings.
There situation is made worse by corporate cultures that appear to tolerate poor writing/speaking skills.
Mr. Sage makes an excellent point.
No matter what one does or plans to do in life, the ability to communicate clearly and precisely (yes, in English), both verbally and in writing, is a skill that will serve a person well throughout his or her life.
Sadly, there are far too few people that can do either, mumbling barely coherent statements that employ generous amounts of “street talk” and/or offering barely coherent writings.
The situation is made worse by corporate cultures that appear to tolerate poor writing/speaking skills.
Our schools need to a better job in teaching English, math, science, history and every other subject. The low academic standard to which we hold our children will affect the economic position of this country. American children routinely place at the bottom of industrial nations when it comes to math and science. We are failing our children by lowering the bar.
Posted by Sean on June 1, 2007 09:48 AMSean, to what do you attribute the poor showing of US students?
You are so correct Sean! It's the schools' fault! It's their problem. Pweh! I feel better now. I'm always happy to shift the responsibility away from me to...anyone else. No worries now.
Posted by shaupeen on June 1, 2007 12:29 PMSkank,
While I'm not Sean, I would say that the biggest cause for our poor showing is the parents that do not hold their children responsible for their actions, including their learning.
Posted by bjs on June 1, 2007 12:29 PMDon't forget... publics schools have been dumbing down for years to accomodate the bumbling, mumbling children of the illegals.
As a matter of fact most inner-city public schools have pretty much went in the toilet because of the gazillions(slight exaggeration)of Spanish speaking Mexican kids that have deluged American public schools.
bjs and Mr.A, why do you think places of higher education like Harvard, MIT, etc do so well?
Are you seeing poor quality at all level of K-12 and also colleges, or are some not affected?
Posted by Bango Skank on June 1, 2007 02:48 PMIt’s my understanding that other nations have a different system for educating their children- deciding early on who will be going forward academically and who would be a better candidate for a trade school or similar program. As such, it’s possible that comparing US students with students in other nations may be like comparing apples to oranges.
Also, it should be remembered that the mission of the US school system is to (hopefully) bring all of its students up to a particular level of academic proficiency. This is a large mandate to hand to any organization.
It is not PC to expect inner city kids to speak English. Nor millionaire athletes.
Posted by Fred Sage on June 2, 2007 01:51 PMIt is not PC to expect inner city kids to speak English. Nor millionaire athletes.
Posted by Fred Sage on June 2, 2007 01:51 PM