Originally Posted by cricketman (Post 10286622)

Nope, you are highlighting the danger of being half educated ;)

The rules happen to be different in some parts of the UK then with others, but they are wholly consistent to the area, so they are not mistakes

Originally Posted by fadingstarlight (Post 10295292)

I don't have a teaching degree or any other "Teaching English Second language" training and I got a job at an English Academy teaching no problem. I have a diploma in business admin. the fact that you are a native speaker is a big advantage or anyone who just studied english

Originally Posted by TheLostPhotographer (Post 10295943)

Yes. Quite.

Your post was only just about understandable to me.

Originally Posted by TheLostPhotographer (Post 10295943)

Yes. Quite.

Your post was only just about understandable to me.

Originally Posted by Lynn R (Post 10296665)

:lol: I do hope punctuation doesn't form part of this teacher's curriculum, or the students will learn very bad habits!

Originally Posted by Domino (Post 10296751)

I thought there was a relaxation for informal forums like BE, as with SMS texting
Or are we all going to go round making shitty comments about people's spelling and/or use of grammar ??

Perhaps we will be able to tell the local accent from the way they post and take the micky out of that as well

:frown::frown:

Originally Posted by Domino (Post 10285943)

probably the same for those over 45 as well.



it used to be drummed into us at school, it became a matter of personal pride to be able to spell, to write cogently and speak "proper", albeit in some instances with regional accents. no computers, no spellcheck, no calculators, no spreadsheets, except for the one we are all born with.

but we have let our kids and kids kids down in allowing the fluffy bunnies to take over the asylum. They have imposed relaxations we would never even think of, in grammar, writing and plain speaking. They have allowed the kids levels of freedom that lead to many becoming a failure but without the wherewithal in education to dig themselves out of it.
those who have taken exams (not all actually take exams) are given an easy time because those marking are instructed not to take account of poor spelling, grammar etc, even in English.

I will not apologise to those who are, were, or profess to be teachers.
This is how I have seen the massive drop in standards of language, diction (good diction is a clue to the mystery of spelling) and general behavious. This is as a work colleague, manager and owner of my own business.

..

Originally Posted by mikelincs (Post 10296997)

When I was being taught at a grammar school in the late 50's early 60's then English Grammar was a specific part of your curriculum, and the O Levels we took had English divided into two separate exams, Language and Literature, so knowing grammar was essential, and we even did Latin and French, so we had to know more than just the basics, which is why, I suspect, that many of the older members on BE can get a bit pedantic about such things. We were also taught spelling, and in Primary school had a spelling test EVERY morning, usually 20 words.

Originally Posted by mikelincs (Post 10296997)

When I was being taught at a grammar school in the late 50's early 60's then English Grammar was a specific part of your curriculum, and the O Levels we took had English divided into two separate exams, Language and Literature, so knowing grammar was essential, and we even did Latin and French, so we had to know more than just the basics, which is why, I suspect, that many of the older members on BE can get a bit pedantic about such things. We were also taught spelling, and in Primary school had a spelling test EVERY morning, usually 20 words.

Originally Posted by Lynn R (Post 10297058)

I was educated at a grammar school in the '70s so I don't even have the excuse of old age for being pedantic - or having standards, as I like to call it!:D We certainly did still have spelling tests in primary school, though.

I just feel that if someone is trying to make a point that it is perfectly reasonable for an unqualified teacher to be employed to teach English to students, then if the content of their post(s) demonstrates that their command of the language, it's grammar and punctuation is not good, it is equally reasonable to comment on that. That is my view, and I shan't be bullied into keeping quiet about it by anyone, however argumentative they may be.

Originally Posted by Lynn R (Post 10297058)

I was educated at a grammar school in the '70s so I don't even have the excuse of old age for being pedantic - or having standards, as I like to call it!:D We certainly did still have spelling tests in primary school, though.

I just feel that if someone is trying to make a point that it is perfectly reasonable for an unqualified teacher to be employed to teach English to students, then if the content of their post(s) demonstrates that their command of the language, it's grammar and punctuation is not good, it is equally reasonable to comment on that. That is my view, and I shan't be bullied into keeping quiet about it by anyone, however argumentative they may be.

Originally Posted by Domino (Post 10297428)

So employing casual foreigners is a money saving exercise.

Originally Posted by Domino (Post 10297032)

from the same era as you, perhaps something not to be truly proud of but....I could read the Daily Mirror before I went to school at 5,