What is "the Australian dream" and are you living it????
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Feb 3rd 2007, 7:45 pm
#62
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 629
Re: What is "the Australian dream" and are you living it????
Apart from some nice old buildings there is nothing that interesting about London. People do the same old stuff. Maybe if you are a left wing academic or a Russian tycoon or mover and shaker type investment banker London is interesting but once you have done all the cool touristy stuff, life here is just plain hard work.
Last edited by ShozInOz; Feb 3rd 2007 at 7:51 pm.
Feb 3rd 2007, 7:48 pm
#63
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 629
Re: What is "the Australian dream" and are you living it????
Actually, I have critisised Australia several times on this forum. There are things that could be improved in Australia and things that I do not like. However, on balance, I think it is great country. Just my opinion.
If you have evidence of widespread corruption and incompetence by politicians, please post here as I would be interested to read it. Maybe you don't because it might not be true? I am talking about Australia having an overall problem with these issues, not isolated incidents which all countries have.
I am not a university lecturer but I understand your point about english language competence. For many courses, the entrance requirement for english is only 50% which is too low in my opinion. I have also noticed that english teachers in the UK spend a lot of time on grammar and the like. In Australia, this is presumed to be done in primary school. In England, there is also a lot of emphasis on Shakespeare which kids so not seem to like. The English language is very different now so I do not see the point in forcing year 9's to read The Tempest. Kids are spoon fed in the UK - they will often do nothing all lesson unless you write the essay for them. They have very few assignments to hand in. When I taught english to year 11 and 12 students in Australia they had many assignments, one after the other, with strict due dates - in the UK, the dates are very general and I have often heard teachers telling students to hand their work in so the teacher can correct it so it can be re-done! This is cheating in my book. Many students think this is your job as a teacher to tell them what to write and spell it out for them, rather than think for themselves. Mind you, this is in comprehensives, might be very different in private schools.
You say that Asian students have a better work ethic than australian students - same thing is happening in the UK. British and Australian students can be lazy because they have been born into a well to do society where they are spoilt. Asian students are pushed by their parents, their parents have immigrated to Australia and want their children to achieve etc.
If you have evidence of widespread corruption and incompetence by politicians, please post here as I would be interested to read it. Maybe you don't because it might not be true? I am talking about Australia having an overall problem with these issues, not isolated incidents which all countries have.
I am not a university lecturer but I understand your point about english language competence. For many courses, the entrance requirement for english is only 50% which is too low in my opinion. I have also noticed that english teachers in the UK spend a lot of time on grammar and the like. In Australia, this is presumed to be done in primary school. In England, there is also a lot of emphasis on Shakespeare which kids so not seem to like. The English language is very different now so I do not see the point in forcing year 9's to read The Tempest. Kids are spoon fed in the UK - they will often do nothing all lesson unless you write the essay for them. They have very few assignments to hand in. When I taught english to year 11 and 12 students in Australia they had many assignments, one after the other, with strict due dates - in the UK, the dates are very general and I have often heard teachers telling students to hand their work in so the teacher can correct it so it can be re-done! This is cheating in my book. Many students think this is your job as a teacher to tell them what to write and spell it out for them, rather than think for themselves. Mind you, this is in comprehensives, might be very different in private schools.
You say that Asian students have a better work ethic than australian students - same thing is happening in the UK. British and Australian students can be lazy because they have been born into a well to do society where they are spoilt. Asian students are pushed by their parents, their parents have immigrated to Australia and want their children to achieve etc.
In how many schools have you taught btw? I have received students from hundreds of schools in both countries and doubtless have a better comparison on an outcome basis.
Last edited by ShozInOz; Feb 3rd 2007 at 8:14 pm.
Feb 3rd 2007, 8:06 pm
#64
Here at last!
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Perth
Posts: 1,635
Re: What is "the Australian dream" and are you living it????
I live it. I earn well above the average salary, in an 'easy' job, I try to keep it a secret (!) - have a beautiful wife, 1 beautiful daughter and another on the way. I have my health and fitness, I'm getting fitter!, and Chief has hers.
We own a little house on 1 acre, 2 oldish cars, pool and deck
, in a community, with village amenities - pub, vineyards, shops, miles of unspoilt walks with vibrant, bright, focused and interesting people. We are 50mins from the city and all that brings us - it creates opportunities for work and cultural (ie my wife's dancing and teaching) activities. We're not far from nature in the Dandenongs which are great in summer, nice in winter.
I'm a part-time firefighter with options to go fulltime, and have sport, arts, culture, and fun, interesting mates on tap. There is never a dull moment.
cheers
B
We own a little house on 1 acre, 2 oldish cars, pool and deck
, in a community, with village amenities - pub, vineyards, shops, miles of unspoilt walks with vibrant, bright, focused and interesting people. We are 50mins from the city and all that brings us - it creates opportunities for work and cultural (ie my wife's dancing and teaching) activities. We're not far from nature in the Dandenongs which are great in summer, nice in winter. I'm a part-time firefighter with options to go fulltime, and have sport, arts, culture, and fun, interesting mates on tap. There is never a dull moment.
cheers
B
Feb 3rd 2007, 8:12 pm
#65
hand me a stubby
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: walsall
Posts: 89
Re: What is "the Australian dream" and are you living it????
not there yet, but i am moving to oz to get better weather and style of life.
i hope to work in the mines of WA and should get a good wage the wife is a nurse and should get a good wage as well.
my son is 3 and will have a better style of life more outdoors .
i have lived in manchester till i was 10, then rural cheshire till i was 27 then birmingham for the last 7 years.
i don't care if it is same sh*t shiner bucket, i will take the shiny bucket.
gareth
i hope to work in the mines of WA and should get a good wage the wife is a nurse and should get a good wage as well.
my son is 3 and will have a better style of life more outdoors .
i have lived in manchester till i was 10, then rural cheshire till i was 27 then birmingham for the last 7 years.
i don't care if it is same sh*t shiner bucket, i will take the shiny bucket.
gareth
Feb 3rd 2007, 8:17 pm
#66
'In limboland'
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 13,880
Re: What is "the Australian dream" and are you living it????
Apart from some nice old buildings there is nothing that interesting about London. People do the same old stuff. Maybe if you are a left wing academic or a Russian tycoon or mover and shaker type investment banker London is interesting but once you have done all the cool touristy stuff, life here is just plain hard work.
Feb 3rd 2007, 8:42 pm
#67
Bendy Bully
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: It's the wrong answer, and there's a light on.
Posts: 281
Re: What is "the Australian dream" and are you living it????
What's the point of him posting that? You've claimed yet again here that Aus has a "low crime rate", but you've had evidence presented to you on here Christ knows how many times that that is simply not true - rapes, violent assaults etc - worse in Aus than the UK.
Feb 3rd 2007, 8:50 pm
#68
Here at last!
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Perth
Posts: 1,635
Re: What is "the Australian dream" and are you living it????
As for corruption? this happens in every government unfortunately so does incompetence...they are only human after all and with alot of money and power
of course i know nothing just my opinion
Feb 3rd 2007, 8:53 pm
#69
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,188
Re: What is "the Australian dream" and are you living it????
[QUOTE=Rachie241;4362187]I would expect it to be worse in some areas same as everywhere but oz is a huge place compared to UK so crime statistics will be higher surely?
QUOTE]
Why would the size of the country make a difference?
QUOTE]
Why would the size of the country make a difference?
Feb 3rd 2007, 8:53 pm
#70
Here at last!
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Perth
Posts: 1,635
Re: What is "the Australian dream" and are you living it????
I would expect it to be worse in some areas same as everywhere but oz is a huge place compared to UK so crime statistics will be higher surely?
As for corruption? this happens in every government unfortunately so does incompetence...they are only human after all and with alot of money and power of course i know nothing just my opinion
As for corruption? this happens in every government unfortunately so does incompetence...they are only human after all and with alot of money and power
of course i know nothing just my opinion The man had mental health problems and had stopped taking his medication prior to the event....obviously they dont have enough support in the community same as UK left to get on with it!! What a waste of a life, not defending the mans actions he shouldnt have stabbed a police officer, but was there a need to shoot to kill?? Difficult one to judge I guess if the police had just picked up on the man they wouldnt necessarily know his health problems....and they probably reacted lightening speed as their colloeague was in danger....
But its a sad story but not one true to oz alone it happens everywhere...its just the society we live in. Its not right but we have to deal with it no matter where we are even if we are in the most harmless, cute and cuddly environment...
Last edited by OzzieNurse; Feb 3rd 2007 at 8:56 pm.
Feb 3rd 2007, 8:59 pm
#71
Here at last!
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Perth
Posts: 1,635
Re: What is "the Australian dream" and are you living it????
On a lighter note? Please tell me 'the wiggles' isn't the best programme for kids over there? Or does it get much worse? I am already mentally scarred from c beebies here in UK...the only oz kids tv I have seen has made me seriously think about taking up alcohol in the day!
Feb 3rd 2007, 9:03 pm
#72
'In limboland'
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 13,880
Re: What is "the Australian dream" and are you living it????
http://www.convictcreations.com/culture/politics.htm
I found some of this rather interesting and amusing reading.
I found some of this rather interesting and amusing reading.
Feb 3rd 2007, 9:11 pm
#73
Here at last!
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Perth
Posts: 1,635
Re: What is "the Australian dream" and are you living it????
[QUOTE=iamthecreaturefromuranus;4362190]
I meant population not size of country.... as I said I know nothing, just what I am perceiving....
Feb 3rd 2007, 9:11 pm
#74
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: What is "the Australian dream" and are you living it????
I think he meant huge variation - polarisation even. My observation is that Australia can be very polarised - with exceptions, the difference between inner city/established burbs and country is HUGE.
Edit - well he didn't....however my point still stands.(!)
Edit - well he didn't....however my point still stands.(!)
Feb 3rd 2007, 9:15 pm
#75
Here at last!
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Perth
Posts: 1,635
Re: What is "the Australian dream" and are you living it????
I just meant from my point of view I am prepared for it. I dont have any high expectations and that Oz is any better or worse to be than anywhere else. I can see it depends on where you live as to the crime rate..
