Correct use of grammar and punctuation etc.

Quote from Robbie

Hi Jim

The compulsory education system requires children of between 4 and 5 to begin primary school at P1 level, they remain in Primary school for 7 years, after this they move to secondary school where they must complete 5 years. After the 5 years are complete pupils can decide if they want to continue their education or get a job.

So really, our education system corresponds to yours in that kids attend lower school for 12 years before entering university or a profession. I figured it was probably about the same but wasn't sure. Thanks for enlightening me, Rob.

Oh, by the way, I doubt that I shall have to flag you for any more mistakes in use of the English language. You've become extremely proficient and I congratulate you.

my sons new school has p-10 at the moment soon to be p-11, p stands for prep (which is like preschool) the lower school is p-6, middle school is 7-9 and senor will eventually be 10-12, after that they can either go on to uni, or go to TAFE which is tech and dip level studies (many of those who dont get into uni use this to better their school leaving score), or they get jobs. our children start when they have reached 5 years of age before the first of the year, because of this their leaving age varies from 17 -18 years of age.

cheers smokey

Quote from smokey

my sons new school has p-10 at the moment soon to be p-11, p stands for prep (which is like preschool) the lower school is p-6, middle school is 7-9 and senor will eventually be 10-12, after that they can either go on to uni, or go to TAFE which is tech and dip level studies (many of those who dont get into uni use this to better their school leaving score), or they get jobs. our children start when they have reached 5 years of age before the first of the year, because of this their leaving age varies from 17 -18 years of age.

cheers smokey

From what you and Rob have said, Smokey, I guess the education system is more or less the same around the world. Or at least in countries settled by Anglos.

I am on another "American" board (not John Wayne related) and I was told that my grammar and the use of "u" is unacceptable (favourite, colour, etc,...). Also my use of "s" where it should be "z" (specialise) I was told that I am very un- American. But how can I be very un- American when I am not an American at all??? I have just cancelled my membership there, as I don't want to be a part of a board that is so "simple" in not understanding that not the whole world speaks English or writes the American style of English.

Quote from Moonshine_Sally

I am on another "American" board (not John Wayne related) and I was told that my grammar and the use of "u" is unacceptable (favourite, colour, etc,...). Also my use of "s" where it should be "z" (specialise) I was told that I am very un- American. But how can I be very un- American when I am not an American at all??? I have just cancelled my membership there, as I don't want to be a part of a board that is so "simple" in not understanding that not the whole world speaks English or writes the American style of English.

Good for you, Sally. The people on that board sound like a bunch of closed-minded idiots who dwell on unimportant things in life. I personally think your use of the English language is better than a lot of people whose native language it is.

Many of the Europeans on this board whose native languages are other than English are far more fluent in that langage than many English speakers, I've noticed. What's more, most Americans know no language other than English.

Hi

When I first started writing to Tim Lilley for the Big Trail he thought that I was making many mistakes especially with the use of u which is the way we speak and spell. eventually he worked it out. if you really want to be confused try Bow and Bough two different spellings pronounced the same or even Bow as in arrow and Bow as in bow down and these are only two simple words.





Regards

Arthur

Quote from Moonshine_Sally

I am on another "American" board (not John Wayne related) and I was told that my grammar and the use of "u" is unacceptable (favourite, colour, etc,...). Also my use of "s" where it should be "z" (specialise) I was told that I am very un- American. But how can I be very un- American when I am not an American at all??? I have just cancelled my membership there, as I don't want to be a part of a board that is so "simple" in not understanding that not the whole world speaks English or writes the American style of English.

Sally,

I, for one, am appalled at how you were treated! I have never found the "other spellings" to be unacceptable, merely different and indicative of where a person was. (I had thought it was British, but is it European? Now my ignorance is showing.)

As to un-American - !! What idiots! If your profile didn't show your location, I would never have even known. If you've used the "u" and "s" around here, I guess I've never noticed.

Though this board was originated by a US citizen and is largely populated by US citizens, we have many, many members from all around the world. When I bring up the JWMB in conversation, I generally refer to it as "an international forum."

Like Stumpy, I am VERY impressed (and humbled) by the many members, for whom English is a second language, and their outstanding ability to communicate here. The occasional 'stumbles' that result I personally find charming and endearing. I consider it an honor that you take the time and effort to post here.

To end on a lighter note - to display some of the unusual characteristics (read that "weirdness") of English spelling -

One day, a young man was asked to spell the word "fish" and here's what he come up with

ghoti

"What?!?" the teacher exclaimed. "Explain yourself!"

"Well," he said, "The gh is like the end of the word 'enough'. The o is like the o in women. The ti is like the ti in motion. G-h-o-t-i."

Cheers!

Mrs. C

just thought i would let you know that the move to the new school has done the lad a world of good he went from a D student in english to a B and that was just in 12 months. he got no D's in his report cards this year which is great and has helped to build his confindence, it just goes to show thta with a little care from his teachers what a difference it can make.

and sally good on ya dont have to hang out with that bunch of bozos stick here where grammer dont matter much just for you mrs c

cheers smokey

Quote from smokey

. . . ya dont have to hang out with that bunch of bozos stick here where grammer dont matter much just for you mrs c

Love ya, smokey!!

I'm so happy to hear your not-so-little-anymore bloke is doing SO well in school!! Tell him we're proud!!

Mrs. C

My wife is a teacher in an urban city school, and I know from her that the education system is a complete shambles in that setting.
It's not the fault of most of the staff - most of them work long hours before and after the official school day. On occasion, she hasn't come home until 10:00 PM. Of course there are some exceptions, for example a bi-lingual teacher who gave up trying to teach English to Hispanics because it was too difficult. Now she just teaches them Spanish.
The real problem is the lack of traditional parental concern and poverty. I can't tell you how many 100s of winter gloves she's bought for pupils. Many times they return the next day and the gloves had been taken by older kids.
She has also had to make heart wrenching referrals to CPS.
One of her classes was impressed that she knew one of the cops who was working a crime scene next door where a body had been found in a dumpster.
The suburban schools are much better, but she wants to stay where she thinks she can do the most good.
Why doesn't George Clooney organize a fund raiser for our failing school system?

We deal in lead, friend.

Quote from Gorch

she wants to stay where she thinks she can do the most good.

Don't want to discourage your wife, Gorch, but I'm of the opinion that she'll never do any good in those urban schools (or in too many surburban schools either) because:

a. The public school system is a disaster because of the total lack of accountability insisted upon by the unions. When's the last time you heard of a lousy teacher being fired?

b. The extremely poor attitude of too many "disadvantaged" pupils and parents. Unfortunately, both parents have to work in too many families nowadays just to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads, not to mention paying the horrendous tax burden. Because of these circumstances, parents just don't wanna take the time to ensure their kids are up to snuff in the learning process. Furthermore, too many urban parents don't place much importance on their kids learning at all because they figure someone else will pick up the slack.

Thanks, Stumpy. Years ago I agreed with your assessment (and mostly still do) but the kids that have been positively affected by her have written her notes and letters, sent pictures, and some have even achieved some academic success down the line.
It's a minority of them to be sure, but that satisfaction is what keeps her going.

We deal in lead, friend.

Quote from Gorch

that satisfaction is what keeps her going.

She must be the world's biggest optimist.

Hell, she married me!

We deal in lead, friend.

Quote from Stumpy

Good for you, Sally. The people on that board sound like a bunch of closed-minded idiots who dwell on unimportant things in life. I personally think your use of the English language is better than a lot of people whose native language it is.

Thanks Stumpy, my English is far from perfect but I had the good fortune that we have on our tv subtitles (compared to France or Germany, to just name 2 country's) instead of the dubbed voices. Altough they cannot translate everything it has been a very good learning school when I was younger.

Also I usually put up page 888 when watching the BBC. So that I hear and read what is being said. You learn a great deal out of this!!

I must say I hate it when English speaking people tend to use text language making words smaller than they actually are. But to be honest I also hate it when they do it in our language

Quote from chester7777

Sally,

I, for one, am appalled at how you were treated! I have never found the "other spellings" to be unacceptable, merely different and indicative of where a person was. (I had thought it was British, but is it European? Now my ignorance is showing.)

It is British which the schools teach here in Belgium

Quote

As to un-American - !! What idiots! If your profile didn't show your location, I would never have even known. If you've used the "u" and "s" around here, I guess I've never noticed.

What I understood is that they want their boardmembers to use the American style and if you don't you are considered un- American... all I can say is... blèh!

Quote

Though this board was originated by a US citizen and is largely populated by US citizens, we have many, many members from all around the world. When I bring up the JWMB in conversation, I generally refer to it as "an international forum."

Like Stumpy, I am VERY impressed (and humbled) by the many members, for whom English is a second language, and their outstanding ability to communicate here. The occasional 'stumbles' that result I personally find charming and endearing. I consider it an honor that you take the time and effort to post here.

I also mention the JWMB quite a lot to friends and colleagues as to being a very international forum. They are amazed to hear from where the people all come and are impressed. And I always say that you cannot learn without making mistakes. And what better way to learn a language than to make mistakes

I might have told this before but my very first time I went abroad was when I was 16 and visited my English penpal who used to live up north (Stockton- on Tees) I only wrote very limited English so it was a huge adventure to travel on my own for a whole week. My parents did not have a phone back then so I was not able to contact them during the time I was away. My friend and her family where the nicest people and I had the best of times. One evening we went to the cinema, so we sat there and the film starts and I was like... where are the subtitles? I momentarily forgot that I was in England LOL Then another day we went to meet my friend's colleagues and I sat there and said nothing. I was just listening and trying to understand what was being said. At one point my friend and a few of the other girls went to the toilet and I stayed behind with an "older" lady (she can't have been older then 30 but she was the oldest of the group and me being the youngest with my 16... well she was old to me back then ) I was quiet at first but she asked me something and ofcourse I did answer and she told me that I should not be afraid to say more. I must have said something like that my English is not good but then she said the wise words... always remember that your English is much better than our knowledge of your language! Do I need to say again that this is the holiday that I will never forget??!

Quote from Moonshine_Sally

Thanks Stumpy, my English is far from perfect but I had the good fortune that we have on our tv subtitles (compared to France or Germany, to just name 2 country's) instead of the dubbed voices. Altough they cannot translate everything it has been a very good learning school when I was younger.

Also I usually put up page 888 when watching the BBC. So that I hear and read what is being said. You learn a great deal out of this!!

I must say I hate it when English speaking people tend to use text language making words smaller than they actually are. But to be honest I also hate it when they do it in our language

Your [English-language] spelling is better than my German-born wife's and she's lived mostly around English-speaking people since 1962. Not only that but she reads mystery novels constantly. Thank goodness I've learned, after almost 50 years of marriage, to translate her notes to me.