Register | Login | |||||
Main
| Memberlist
| Active users
| ACS
| Commons
| Calendar
| Online users Ranks | FAQ | Color Chart | Photo album | IRC Chat |
| |
2 users currently in General Chat: |
Acmlm's Board - I2 Archive - General Chat - What do American (public) schools teach? | | | |
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | Add to favorites | "RSS" Feed | Next newer thread | Next older thread |
User | Post | ||
KawaiiImoto-e Hammer Brother Level: 49 Posts: 231/1068 EXP: 852917 For next: 30966 Since: 03-15-04 From: In my own little complicated dreamworld Since last post: 16 days Last activity: 4 days |
| ||
I don't see the reason for a subject in literature, you could read literature in the native language class. And for secondary languages in school, first the one that is second to the native language or on of the other national languages (Like French in Canada and Switzerland). |
|||
tinzeee Permaban Repeated warnings and bannings about stupidity Level: 38 Posts: 589/618 EXP: 369695 For next: 752 Since: 04-02-04 From: Australia - Sydney Since last post: 553 days Last activity: 339 days |
| ||
I have always wanted to learn swedish and was hoping that my school would have swedish as a language. | |||
Tommathy Level: 21 Posts: 12/145 EXP: 42543 For next: 7400 Since: 03-18-04 From: Cloud Nine, Turn Left and I'm There~ Since last post: 25 days Last activity: 1 day |
| ||
Education is what you put into it. While the American school system is somewhat flawed, I don't think it's the primary detractor here. Most "educated" people acquire their knowledge independently, using their education as a base from which to spring. The major hurdle to rise of an American Intelligensia is cultural. To be blunt, America distrusts intellectuals. Even looking at the line of U.S. Presidents, although many have been absolutely brilliant men with high academic credentials, for the most part they've all projected a sort of folksy, "dumbed down" version of themselves. On TV, we're all shown that it's "cool" to be stupid, that smart people are weak, non-social, and don't get laid. Even in the work place, employers want to train their employees as little as possible. They make the machinery do simple that a monkey could use it, and try to avoid, at all costs, inadvertently teaching you skills that could be used at another job or lead to promotion. --- Oh, and without Literature and Art, the life would be a barren a sterile thing, I think. |
|||
kitty Come on babe, pet the pussy ;) Level: 70 Posts: 755/2449 EXP: 2962406 For next: 53405 Since: 03-15-04 From: Scranton, PA, USA Since last post: 3 hours Last activity: 3 hours |
| ||
Napkin: Yeah, a lot of people have problems remembering what the hell they're for, but I remember the ancient Indian chief SohCahToa and I'm fine (Sin=opp/hyp, Cos=Adj/hyp, Tan=opp/adj). For some reason public schools don't like mneumonics even though they help people understand shit on their own... like the planet orders. Do most people care about "cos(x) = e^(ix) - e^(-ix) / 2"? Fuck no. But I worked for a mason over the summer and if I didn't know how to use a 3-4-5 triangle I probably would have got my ass kicked and/or fired Imoto: Yeah, literature in a regular language class would be good, if Shakesphere was regular English. It's Middle-English and in a very odd quintet form, so it's difficult to read and understand, especially for younger kids. Steinbeck, Tolkein, Hemingway, and others would be good though. Seraph: Point taken that Americans downplay intelligence over, say, jockiness. People didn't want to vote for Gore because he was a "Nerd". Personally, I'd want a smart president. Look at who we have now... popularity based on stupidity, clumbsiness and poor public speaking is bad! |
|||
KawaiiImoto-e Hammer Brother Level: 49 Posts: 237/1068 EXP: 852917 For next: 30966 Since: 03-15-04 From: In my own little complicated dreamworld Since last post: 16 days Last activity: 4 days |
| ||
Yiffy Kitten, just have the simpler textes in the thirdyears till fifth or sixthyears, and the more complex or different english in later years or advanced classes. We even watched Falling Down in school and had to write an essay about it, why does he react so and so, what are his motives, why the sign with 'de fens' ect. Was quite interessting. I remember in the 3rd and 4th year, we learned how bridges are built, even visited some in the valley (Rheintal, Switzerland) or an old complicated moustrap, where the mouse drowns. (The teacher had his own museum). So, it not only depends on the school, but what the teacher does with the money and time given by the school. Ie. we visited a nuklear plant, was quite interessting. |
|||
Tommathy Level: 21 Posts: 14/145 EXP: 42543 For next: 7400 Since: 03-18-04 From: Cloud Nine, Turn Left and I'm There~ Since last post: 25 days Last activity: 1 day |
| ||
Originally posted by Yiffy Kitten Actually, Shakespeare is merely out-moded Modern English, the major differences being not the language itself but the culture therein (for example, no one nowadays hangs out in bowders). You would have to go back a couple hundred more years to find Middle English writers, such as Chaucer. Here bygynneth the Book of the tales of Caunterbury Whan that aprill with his shoures soote The droghte of march hath perced to the roote, And bathed every veyne in swich licour Of which vertu engendred is the flour; Whan zephirus eek with his sweete breeth Inspired hath in every holt and heeth Tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne Hath in the ram his halve cours yronne, And smale foweles maken melodye, That slepen al the nyght with open ye (so priketh hem nature in hir corages); Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages, And palmeres for to seken straunge strondes, To ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes; And specially from every shires ende Of engelond to caunterbury they wende, The hooly blisful martir for to seke, Translated: When April with his showers sweet with fruit The drought of March has pierced unto the root And bathed each vein with liquor that has power To generate therein and sire the flower; When Zephyr also has, with his sweet breath, Quickened again, in every holt and heath, The tender shoots and buds, and the young sun Into the Ram one half his course has run, And many little birds make melody That sleep through all the night with open eye (So Nature pricks them on to ramp and rage)- Then do folk long to go on pilgrimage, And palmers to go seeking out strange strands, To distant shrines well known in sundry lands. And specially from every shire's end Of England they to Canterbury wend, The holy blessed martyr there to seek |
|||
kitty Come on babe, pet the pussy ;) Level: 70 Posts: 791/2449 EXP: 2962406 For next: 53405 Since: 03-15-04 From: Scranton, PA, USA Since last post: 3 hours Last activity: 3 hours |
| ||
That's more early-English... I know people say that Shakesphere's technical classification is modern. This is true. But the vocabulary and the writing style is much closer to that of middle English (or what I think should be early-English). I think that the classifications need to be "Corrected" to our current standards - modern is what the current language uses, if words used in a writing 500 years ago are outdated, and if a person has a hard time interpreting the language, it's not in the modern generation. - Modern English needs to be narrowed - Middle English "shifted" to be later dates - Old English shifted to encorporate the gap that modern English occupied and yet still include most current classifications - early English, where the language was much more Germanic, including some of what is now "Old English" If the culture has changed so much that people don't know what words mean because "no one nowadays hangs out in bowders" then it isn't modern... would you call the 1500's or whatever the "Modern" Age? Or the Renaissance? (edited by Yiffy Kitten on 04-28-04 12:14 PM) |
|||
MathOnNapkins Math n' Hacks Level: 67 Posts: 139/2189 EXP: 2495887 For next: 96985 Since: 03-18-04 From: Base Tourian Since last post: 1 hour Last activity: 32 min. |
| ||
Old, Middle, Modern, etc. are terms based on linguistic features, not usage. | |||
hhallahh Bob-Omb Level: 38 Posts: 150/607 EXP: 365476 For next: 4971 Since: 03-15-04 From: Portland, OR Since last post: 73 days Last activity: 60 days |
| ||
Early English = Beowulf Middle English = Chaucer Modern English = Shakespeare and forward (I think Shakespeare is defined as the beginning of the modern period.) Postmodern English = Ebonics (haha..) Shakespeare is different, but it's definately within the grasp of modern high school students. 0_o; There are some archaic words, but generally the grammar structures and spellings are similar enough to be ledgible. I mean, you can go to a Shakespearean play and follow what's going on, still, nowadays. I can't say that for Middle English stuff. If Chaucer is early english, what the hell is this? Hw (edited by hhallahh on 04-28-04 01:24 PM) (edited by hhallahh on 04-28-04 01:52 PM) |
|||
Eyebarb Permabanned for spamming Stupidity a major factor as well Level: 22 Posts: 54/172 EXP: 53204 For next: 5146 Since: 04-25-04 From: Smalltown, USA Since last post: 530 days Last activity: 339 days |
| ||
It's retarded, thats what. Care to translate it for me? | |||
Jarukoth IRRATIONAL EXUBERENCE!!1! Level: 79 Posts: 782/3194 EXP: 4402011 For next: 177456 Since: 03-17-04 From: New Jersey, U.S.A. Shoes: Yes. Since last post: 8 days Last activity: 1 day |
| ||
It actually sounds kinda like Greek, or maybe latin? | |||
Eyebarb Permabanned for spamming Stupidity a major factor as well Level: 22 Posts: 55/172 EXP: 53204 For next: 5146 Since: 04-25-04 From: Smalltown, USA Since last post: 530 days Last activity: 339 days |
| ||
Actually it sounds like some old polish thing that somebody would write on the wall in the bathroom. | |||
hhallahh Bob-Omb Level: 38 Posts: 152/607 EXP: 365476 For next: 4971 Since: 03-15-04 From: Portland, OR Since last post: 73 days Last activity: 60 days |
| ||
Translation: LO, praise of the prowess of people-kings of spear-armed Danes, in days long sped, we have heard, and what honor the athelings won! Oft Scyld the Scefing from squadroned foes, from many a tribe, the mead-bench tore, awing the earls. Since erst he lay friendless, a foundling, fate repaid him: for he waxed under welkin, in wealth he throve, till before him the folk, both far and near, who house by the whale-path, heard his mandate, gave him gifts: a good king he! To him an heir was afterward born, a son in his halls, whom heaven sent to favor the folk, feeling their woe that erst they had lacked an earl for leader so long a while; the Lord endowed him, the Wielder of Wonder, with world's renown. Famed was this Beowulf: far flew the boast of him, son of Scyld, in the Scandian lands. Old English is largely Germanic, but with Latin influences. You can read about it here. |
|||
Eyebarb Permabanned for spamming Stupidity a major factor as well Level: 22 Posts: 58/172 EXP: 53204 For next: 5146 Since: 04-25-04 From: Smalltown, USA Since last post: 530 days Last activity: 339 days |
| ||
That was beautiful... *sobs gently* |
|||
Kurama We gave you a 2nd chance You lost it with stupidity Level: 20 Posts: 4/136 EXP: 37337 For next: 5102 Since: 04-27-04 Since last post: 526 days Last activity: 339 days |
| ||
Originally posted by hhallahh Please slow down and translate for laymen who went to the public school that teaches nothing. |
|||
kitty Come on babe, pet the pussy ;) Level: 70 Posts: 799/2449 EXP: 2962406 For next: 53405 Since: 03-15-04 From: Scranton, PA, USA Since last post: 3 hours Last activity: 3 hours |
| ||
Originally posted by hhallahh Originally posted by Yiffy Kitten If you read what I said, you'd see I added a category... |
|||
Tommathy Level: 21 Posts: 15/145 EXP: 42543 For next: 7400 Since: 03-18-04 From: Cloud Nine, Turn Left and I'm There~ Since last post: 25 days Last activity: 1 day |
| ||
*cough* Hmm, we seem to have gone off on a tangent... So, how about them schools? |
|||
Wlokos Red Paratroopa Level: 22 Posts: 30/176 EXP: 54880 For next: 3470 Since: 04-29-04 Since last post: 11 days Last activity: 10 days |
| ||
The schools aren't too bad here.. Timothy Edwards Middle School is the bets in the state, and one of teh best in the country.. However, otehrs near here suck.. One of them that my friends go to has fights regularly, and doesn't seem to teach much important.... | |||
Cthulhu Rex Level: 36 Posts: 403/541 EXP: 302159 For next: 5951 Since: 04-04-04 From: R'lyeh Since last post: 123 days Last activity: 61 days |
| ||
Well, I enjoy school. It's better than the alternative, which includes catching chickens and fixing tractors for the rest of my life. My high school makes you do work, with the possible exception of Health and Introduction to Technology. In Health...we watch movies. In Intro Tech, we pretty much finish our "modules" in 3 days and goof off the other two. My core classes for this semester, Gifted English and Physical Science, are actually hard. I have to work in both, but harder in the latter. I love English and love to write. On the other hand I hate Physical Science and generally dislike things that include a lot of "theories". I can't wait for Biology next year. Now there's something you can prove. BTW, I have block schedule. We take four classes the first semester, and four the next. We spend a total of 90 mins in class each day. The reason that we got screwed with this schedule, is because of our principal, who pushed and pushed for this schedule. I learned today, that on regular schedule, we get a total of 9000 minutes in class. On block, we get a total of 8100. Is that not stupid? I can't wait for the prinicpal to finally give up, and we can go back to the regular way of doing things. Oh yes, regular schedule means we get 45 mins in each class and 8 classes all year. Maybe we could ease up on public schools just a little? I always tell my teachers and bus driver "Thanks. And good luck" everyday. That's how much shit they have to put up with to teach the few who actually want to learn. That's why I like being in Gifted English and College Prep classes; the losers and future bums are filtered down into the Technical Career Prep part of school, and the ones who actually come to school to learn a thing or two are allowed the proper environment to accomplish it in. |
|||
Eyebarb Permabanned for spamming Stupidity a major factor as well Level: 22 Posts: 75/172 EXP: 53204 For next: 5146 Since: 04-25-04 From: Smalltown, USA Since last post: 530 days Last activity: 339 days |
| ||
You're lucky. At the school that I used to go to, P.E. consisted of catching up on your reading. |
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | Add to favorites | "RSS" Feed | Next newer thread | Next older thread |
Acmlm's Board - I2 Archive - General Chat - What do American (public) schools teach? | | | |