Exile

I'd agree with this. It doesn't have to be formalized, with tests, etc, but exposing kids to other languages at an early age is the best way.

I've read research saying that after seven or eight it is actually too late for the brain to absorb new languages in the natural way that only kids can.

esperanza

I agree - way too much emphasis on tests & statistics, it's madness - no good for pupils or teachers. And despite the current push for 'inclusion', with class sizes of over 30 now common in secondaries how can any of the kids be given proper individual attention?! Crazy!

OzTennis

I could raise dozens of questions from just your first few posts in this thread (and I haven't got beyond post 3 or 4 please note). Try these 2 for a starter:

Is the presumption if you find out that Australian schools are not doing the same as UK schools at the same year level that they are failing (in your eyes)?

Do you also take over from your doctor or accountant or lawyer because you know what is best for patient, client, child? No, you'll probably say your doctor, accountant or lawyer know best but when it comes to my child's education I know best!

OzTennis

Pollyana

My 6 year old niece came home the other day(UK), ate three bags of sweets while her dad's back was turned, and announced "If I was at school I wouldn't even feel comme ci comme ca" next morning she announced she felt "mal au tummy" Apparently her teacher is in charge of languages and just says a few words now and then. The kids think its great, the parents are stunned when they hear the odd word, and the best bit is the kids are enjoying it.

esperanza

That's great, it's exactly how languages should be learned - drip feeding in a natural way, not a stressful struggle one hour a week. Lucky niece!

OzTennis

Lest there be any fears about tertiary education in Australia, have a look at the esteemed Times Higher Education Supplement of the world's top universities, according to their criteria.

I make it 8 in the top 50 for 60 million people and 5 for 20 million people.

One would presume if there was a problem, concerns or under-achievement at primary and secondary level vis a vis the UK this would filter through to tertiary level and be reflected in poor performance for Australian tertiary institutions?

1 Harvard University United States
2 University of Cambridge United Kingdom
3 University of Oxford United Kingdom
4= Massachusetts Institute of Technology United States
4= Yale University United States
6 Stanford University United States
7 California Institute of Technology United States
8 University of California, Berkeley United States
9 Imperial College London United Kingdom
10 Princeton University United States
11 University of Chicago United States
12 Columbia University United States
13 Duke University United States
14 Peking University China
15 Cornell University United States
16 Australian National University Australia
17 London School of Economics and Political... United Kingdom
18 Ecole Normale Supérieure France
19= National University of Singapore Singapore
19= University of Tokyo Japan
21 McGill University Canada
22 University of Melbourne Australia
23 Johns Hopkins University United States
24 ETH Zurich Switzerland
25 University College London (UCL) United Kingdom
26 University of Pennsylvania United States
27 University of Toronto Canada
28 Tsing Hua University China
29= Kyoto University Japan
29= University of Michigan United States
31 University of California, Los Angeles United States
32 University of Texas at Austin United States
33= University of Edinburgh United Kingdom
33= University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
35= University of Sydney Australia
35= Carnegie Mellon University United States
37 École Polytechnique France
38 Monash University Australia
39 University of Geneva Switzerland
40 University of Manchester United Kingdom
41 University of New South Wales Australia
42 Northwestern University United States
43 New York University United States
44 University of California, San Diego United States
45 University of Queensland Australia
46= King's College London United Kingdom
46= University of Auckland New Zealand
48= University of Rochester United States
48= Washington University in St. Louis United States
50= Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
50= University of British Colombia

OzTennis

esperanza

Of course it depends what their criteria are....

(Before you tell me in minute detail, I'm on your side, I see no reason to think the Australian education system is inferior!)

OzTennis

Since there are those (not you) who seem to want to show that the Australian education system is inferior to that of the UK and seek ways of trying to prove it, may I point out:

1 THES is probably the most esteemed educational tome in the world, their annual survey is highly regarded and they are British.

2 The criteria they use for their annual survey is based on:

The ranking weights are: Peer Review Score (40%), Recruiter Review (10%), International Faculty Score (5%), International Students Score (5%), Faculty/Student Score (20%), Citations/Faculty score (20%).

If there is a more suitable method of judging universities I'm more than happy to see the results!

OzTennis

Exile

Don't really want to show that the Aus system is worse, but certain things, as mentioned in previous posts, set off alarm bells.

Interesting comments from an Aussie on the THES ranking of Australian universities here:
http://www.archsoc.com/kcas/bestunis.html

NKSK version 2

1. No I don't think that they are failing. But I have a view of what I want my kids to know and understand.

2. An accountant would probably do their own books. A doctor would certainly have an opinion on medical matters concerning their family. A lawyer would give his/her family legal advice.
I'm a teacher. I like to think that I do have an insight to education. And yes, given that background, I probably do know best for my kids with regards to education.

Phoenix

Do you know - i never presume I know whats best for my kids - I only do what I think is right - they don't come with a handbook and they are all different entitled to and surely have their own personalities and opinions.

Certain education styles will suit some and not others - I dont see it as UK vs Oz - I see it as a different opportunity to try. It will or will not suit, but one thing I do think - and that is that the UK is no way superior to the Aus system and vice versa.

Aus is Aus the Uk is the Uk - you have choices - use them !

NKSK version 2

OK - I am doing what I think is right. Semantics?

Gibbo

If this is how you feel, why don't you home school your children? That way you alone have the responsibility of ensuring your children get everything you want them to get from their primary education.

NKSK version 2

Because schools do a lot of good. They provide opportunities to develop personal relationships, social cohesion, sporting abilities.

Plus home schooling isn't practical in most cases (certainly ours) and even if it was I'm not convinced that it would be right for our kids.

Gibbo

I totally agree with you as to the negatives associated with home schooling. However, I do feel that you could be worrying unnecessarily about your children's education. I say this as a teacher, with more years experience than I care to admit to, both here and in Scotland. My four sons have been educated in Australia. I had many misgivings in the early years of my first three sons schooling, despite this they have turned out well rounded, successful adults. The NSW education system has improved immensely since then and I had no such concerns with my youngest son. I cannot comment on WA, no experience, but I hope your experience will be the same as mine.