Spelling, Grammar and the like.

Originally Posted by kitkat

why cant they add flouride to water I dont know.

its still a very debated topic about fluoride. I lived in an area with fluoridated water and because i drank more water than the average person from a young age its left me with discoloured teeth. One area of Scotland has the healthiest teeth in Britain, and its also an area where fluoride had been ousted.

Originally Posted by Steve H

I find it really annoying when people hide behind the fact that they are Dyslexic, wherein they have actually been let down by the awful education system of this country.

Yeah I agree. Thats winds me up too. I think a lot of people find it easier to think - I must be dyslexic - and give up on learning. As for blaming the education system? Having seen different schools I found the standard varies massively. I recently read a year 11 student GCSE English essay about Alfred Hitch**** describing the 'wounds' inflicted in Pyscho as 'wombs', she had also talked about 'psychological tournament' (torment), and consequently got a B!

I'm very pedantic about spelling (Ebay cracks me up!), but I'm also the only person I know who looks up words they can't spell. I think people don't in fear of looking stupid.

(As for getting capitals right - I did check this post more than usual )

I was a complete failure at school. A "thicko".

There were a lot of things wrong as I was growing up but my mother insisted that we should all talk properly. She drummed into us pronunciation was everything.

I left school with no qualifications that were worth a damn. Whilst in the Army I took O levels in English, Maths and German. My spelling is still not the best and I use the spell checker all the time.

In this day and age with computers, emails and word processors, English grammar and spelling is not so essential. But what does matter is language skills. If my mum had not taught me the correct use of the English language I am convinced that I would not be where I am now.

For this reason I do not let the teachers teach my children and leave it at that. The teachers are there to enhance what I am teaching my children at home. The most important of which is to use the English language properly. My daughter knew her ABC well before she started school. She could not only write her name but she could write all our names. I used to teach her the ABC at bath time. She reads every day at home and we give her computer lessons. She writes a lot. But the point is, to her it's playing with Dad because I make it fun. I think that's the key to learning. People want to learn more if they are having fun.

My biggest battle is the influence that my neighbours children are having on my kids. They do not speak proper English. They speak what I call "lazy English". Not pronouncing the T's at the end of words. Wha.... instead of what. And all the rest of the lazy English that seems to be spoken more and more. I find myself correcting the neighbours kids all the time. I do not see why my kids chances in the future should suffer because their parents don't care.

I guess what I have tried to say but in a long drawn out way, is that spelling and grammar is no longer important. But speaking properly is. How often is someone asked to write something at a job interview? But you have to talk.

Does this make sense to anyone


And yes I did use the spell checker again.

Originally Posted by BigApe

I was a complete failure at school. A "thicko".

There were a lot of things wrong as I was growing up but my mother insisted that we should all talk properly. She drummed into us pronunciation was everything.

I left school with no qualifications that were worth a damn. Whilst in the Army I took O levels in English, Maths and German. My spelling is still not the best and I use the spell checker all the time.

In this day and age with computers, emails and word processors, English grammar and spelling is not so essential. But what does matter is language skills. If my mum had not taught me the correct use of the English language I am convinced that I would not be where I am now.

For this reason I do not let the teachers teach my children and leave it at that. The teachers are there to enhance what I am teaching my children at home. The most important of which is to use the English language properly. My daughter knew her ABC well before she started school. She could not only write her name but she could write all our names. I used to teach her the ABC at bath time. She reads every day at home and we give her computer lessons. She writes a lot. But the point is, to her it's playing with Dad because I make it fun. I think that's the key to learning. People want to learn more if they are having fun.

My biggest battle is the influence that my neighbours children are having on my kids. They do not speak proper English. They speak what I call "lazy English". Not pronouncing the T's at the end of words. Wha.... instead of what. And all the rest of the lazy English that seems to be spoken more and more. I find myself correcting the neighbours kids all the time. I do not see why my kids chances in the future should suffer because their parents don't care.

I guess what I have tried to say but in a long drawn out way, is that spelling and grammar is no longer important. But speaking properly is. How often is someone asked to write something at a job interview? But you have to talk.

Does this make sense to anyone


And yes I did use the spell checker again.

Couldn't agree more. Education should start at home. If only more parents were willing to spare their own time! As fore spell-chequer, i often sea so many mistakes dew too using the correct spelling four different words.

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by BigApe

I guess what I have tried to say but in a long drawn out way, is that spelling and grammar is no longer important. But speaking properly is. How often is someone asked to write something at a job interview? But you have to talk.

I disagree. Spelling and grammar are important, at least to the degree of clarity. To use your analogy above, you may not be required to take a written test at an interview but you most certainly will have had to make a written application to get the interview in the first place.

In the case of my job, one of the key requirements is 'first class written and oral communicator'. This is because my job involves customer support where I need to convey complex technical information clearly and concisely to customers. For a job like mine, grammar is most important.

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

Couldn't agree more. Education should start at home. If only more parents were willing to spare their own time! As fore spell-chequer, i often sea so many mistakes dew too using the correct spelling four different words.

Hmm your right there. But you knew that already.

Originally Posted by Luckypants

I disagree. Spelling and grammar are important, at least to the degree of clarity. To use your analogy above, you may not be required to take a written test at an interview but you most certainly will have had to make a written application to get the interview in the first place.

In the case of my job, one of the key requirements is 'first class written and oral communicator'. This is because my job involves customer support where I need to convey complex technical information clearly and concisely to customers. For a job like mine, grammar is most important.

Yes, I'm not saying that it is no longer important at all. Just not AS important. If I thought it were not important then I would not spend my time teaching my kids how to spell read and write.

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by BigApe

I guess what I have tried to say but in a long drawn out way, is that spelling and grammar is no longer important. But speaking properly is. How often is someone asked to write something at a job interview? But you have to talk.

Originally Posted by BigApe

Yes, I'm not saying that it is no longer important at all. Just not AS important. If I thought it were not important then I would not spend my time teaching my kids how to spell read and write.

Well between us we have neatly demonstrated the need for clear written communication skills. From your last post it seems to be that you meant to say that written communication is not as important as verbal communication.

What you actually said was grammar is no longer important, but you really meant it is no longer AS important.

I'm not having a pop at you BigApe, just using the two points to demonstrate the need to have good writing skills. Grammar and spelling are a very large part of that. In fact I think you have made the point that parents have a huge role to play in their children's education very well.

Stop picking on me.

I told you I was a "thicko"




Yes indeed should have proof read my thread before posting it.

I'm not even going to try to argue, I have slight dislexia and no grasp of languages... as for the use of their, there, and they're or anything else god knows. I have enough trouble with comas.

And don't try to explain, I'll have a blink and it will be gone again.

PS. Double E in my English GCSE and a U in French.

What about apostrophe use?