English - The most bs subject taught?

Werewolf said:
That's pretty much it, it's also about being able to understand the angle from what I remember.

Ken, it's a very handy ability to have, especially when you're reading the newspaper, or watching Faux "News", knowing who the audience is they are playing to, and being able to understand/read between the lines in regards to the wording can be extremely useful in enabling you to get to the facts rather than the hyperbole.
It's especially useful if you're reading something that might be a bit older than your current generation.

For example it can also make some books much more enjoyable, by honing your ability to think about what you're reading (some authors for example might have hidden jokes/references that can add to the fun of reading the book), in the case of older books by helping you to understand that something was not talked about openly at the time, so the use of certain words or phrases in a particular context can be extremely important in understanding what is being said.
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Okay, but if people never do that?

I never ever read a book unless I have to for school, I hate reading books and get bored after half a page usually. I don't read newspapers, I always stream the news from news sites on the internet.

I'm not interested in any of those ability's, I just want my time back and more practice on more serious matters, I'm still a bit unknown as to how to make a good CV, while I want to learn how to make a good one, as I need some cash...

Making money > Enjoying or understanding reading the news, or a book...
 
Killa_ken said:
I honestly don't understand this, why do ******* english teachers ask such retard questions like what is the context of this essay, who is the intended audience, and what is the author trying to persuade you of.

why don't they get real ******* jobs and stop asking questions to which nobody gives a flying toss about.
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It's called gaining an insight and getting an education, something that quite a few of you Colonials could do with to be honest! Especially the ones that seem to come across as nothing more than angry, steroid fuelled 'jocks'!
 
snowdog said:
Okay, but if people never do that?

I never ever read a book unless I have to for school, I hate reading books and get bored after half a page usually. I don't read newspapers, I always stream the news from news sites on the internet.

I'm not interested in any of those ability's, I just want my time back and more practice on more serious matters, I'm still a bit unknown as to how to make a good CV, while I want to learn how to make a good one, as I need some cash...

Making money > Enjoying or understanding reading the news, or a book...
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You're a 17 year old with PC specs in your sig; of course you hate education and creativity. Just give it a few years.
 
Inquisitor said:
You're a 17 year old with PC specs in your sig; of course you hate education and creativity. Just give it a few years.
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Do I?
I love films, games, series, motorized transport and music. Isn't that creativity ?

I don't hate education, I need it to get good work later...


I hate unneeded education, waste of time stuff... I don't hate things that might be handy later or are interesting for me ( nature sciences, maths, proper language, IT, etc...).
 
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snowdog said:
Okay, but if people never do that?

I never ever read a book unless I have to for school, I hate reading books and get bored after half a page usually. I don't read newspapers, I always stream the news from news sites on the internet.

I'm not interested in any of those ability's, I just want my time back and more practice on more serious matters, I'm still a bit unknown as to how to make a good CV, while I want to learn how to make a good one, as I need some cash...

Making money > Enjoying or understanding reading the news, or a book...
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As I say, reading can work wonders for increasing vocabulary, which in turn helps when writing things like a CV.

It can also be of assistance in making conversation, and can make the difference between getting a job and not, if both candidates are roughly the same experience and qualifications but one is more able to put his point across because of an expanded vocabulary.

Even just taking a news paper into the loo can help, and (in my experience) the more you read the more you enjoy it.

I note you mention proper language, that is exactly where good books, or papers will come in, the standard of writing on the internet is generally appallingly low, books and papers can assist greatly in getting used to using the language properly, especially once you can see how and why the authors are writing in a particular manner.
 
snowdog said:
I love films, games, series, motorized transport and music. Isn't that creativity ?
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No, not really; most of these are things you can just do/play/watch/listen to with a minimum of mental input.

snowdog said:
I don't hate education, I need it to get good work later...
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Exactly: it's a means to an end, not something you see any inherent value in.

It's when you treat education as something more than this that it really comes into its own.
 
int said:
"Story writing" is a way of showing you can structure your language, use correct terminology, grammar and spelling. If someone enjoys it whilst they're doing that then that's just a bonus.
At 16 I'd rather write a story or a pretend news article than practice writing formal letters.
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An article is formal writing, formal writing is not just about writing letters you know.
 
Werewolf said:
As I say, reading can work wonders for increasing vocabulary, which in turn helps when writing things like a CV.

It can also be of assistance in making conversation, and can make the difference between getting a job and not, if both candidates are roughly the same experience and qualifications but one is more able to put his point across because of an expanded vocabulary.

Even just taking a news paper into the loo can help, and (in my experience) the more you read the more you enjoy it.

I note you mention proper language, that is exactly where good books, or papers will come in, the standard of writing on the internet is generally appallingly low, books and papers can assist greatly in getting used to using the language properly, especially once you can see how and why the authors are writing in a particular manner.
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I think I understand/agree with your first three paragraphs. I'll see in time, I'm still young and have a lot to learn, but atm I just don't like learning stuff that I reckon will be of no use in the future....

But the last one:
Yes, but proper language when needed. Eg. when trying to make money in some way, any other reason is just not worth it. On the Internet there's no need at all for good language, as long as people understand each other there's just no need to try to use good language. I feel no need to write in an exceptional way on an Internet forum, like I'd need when I'd apply for a job, or when I need to talk with customers some day or anything like that...

inq said:
No, not really; most of these are things you can just do/play/watch/listen to with a minimum of mental input.
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That's my point, I don't like too much mental input of myself, however the creators of the entertainment have put lots of creativity in it. See old games for example, they are just far more addictive than more advanced games these days, sometimes simple things are just much more enjoyable...
Exactly: it's a means to an end, not something you see any inherent value in.
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Yes to an end, I enjoy learning physics simply because I'm curious about it, but that aside, I have no real interest in learning Trigonometry ( which is pretty much all I have to do atm for Maths) , I just think it's needed for later in relation to work, but I'm not interested in it at all...
It's when you treat education as something more than this that it really comes into its own.
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Perhaps in the future I will, but not just yet...
 
Energize said:
The english language cirriculum needs restructuring, so that rather than wasting time analysing poems and stories for some hidden meaning, people are tested on their ability to write formally, spelling, grammar etc. Real world stuff rather than story writing.

Art was another pointless subject, so much time spent just copying other artists works and teachers blathering on about techniques when we hadn't actually even been taught to draw properly.
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"Curriculum".
 
How can anybody say that an English qualification is pointless?

Your English skills will form the fabric of your personal and professional interactions throughout your entire life. Every time you communicate, discuss, compliment, criticise, inform, persuade and inspire, your success will depend upon your English skills. Being able to write cogently and to interpret the writings of others is essential to almost everything you do.

Besides, there's a hell of a lot more to life than 'good work'. Dip your head below the surface.
 
Killa_ken said:
oh no the world is going to end I used the wrong type of your. However will I survive. Face it, the world is more important then using the right type of ******* your.
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The world will survive perfectly well.

It just makes you look like a bigger idiot that's all.

Clearly it seems you are destined for blue collar employment.

Have fun with that.
 
I think English is just misnamed. At the time I thought it was rubbish, but in hindsight I can see that I learnt valuable critical thinking and analysis skills.
 
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