Ch-ch-changessss

[Rye]

When I was in Starbucks, there was group of probably early 20 something Europeans in front of me! 5 Swedes and this really pretty German girl. Their english was amazing. They all had accents, but more of a really pretty flavor to their speech, rather than something hindering their English.

It makes me sad to live in a country where learning another language isn't encouraged. I want to learn German. If I controlled the US education system, I'd make foreign language equally as important as English, math, science, history, etc. And give more choices at that. My school only let us take Spanish or French.

What would you change about your country's educational system if you could?

[Bunny]

I'd put more emphasis on private tutoring/teaching and cater to the students interests rather than teaching them the bare basics and sending them off to fail in college.

I'm pretty strongly against large classroom teaching styles because I don't think they work very well.

[rubah]

I'd make foreign language equally as important as English, math, science, history, etc.

So you mean not important at all!

I'd give teachers some actual smurfing leeway to teach what is important, not what is necessary to pass some state approved test.

[Yar]

I think the budget needs a major overhaul. So many school districts are bankrupt, and it's frightening what we as a nation spend our money on instead.

EDIT: Interesting, Rye. As a student of a few languages, I don't know that I'd put that much emphasis on foreign language, unless it was Spanish or (to a lesser degree) Chinese.

[Rye]

It's one of those life skills that I think schools should teach. Useful. Important.

I dunno, I'm a little weird, but after taking sociology and talking to my professor a lot, I think schools should teach more things involved with LIVING, because kids are surprisingly hopeless and raised by hopeless parents. So many people can't cook, sew, caring for children, mechanic skills, etc. And they'll never learn unless a school steps in. Sad, but true. So many parents are useless. It's horrific that schools don't require classes like that.

But this is coming from someone who would replace gym and excess study halls (for example, my brother has had like, 5 study halls his entire High School education, and is still getting an advanced HS diploma which means he took more classes than necessary for a normal degree. So kids getting the minimal diploma probably had many more study halls. It's kind of bizarre.) with these classes, so most people would be inclined to disagree with me.

[Marshall Banana]

The concept that the longer a paper is, the better it is! Teachers might say, "Quality over Quantity," but they also/usually say, "Okay, just rewrite everything you've already written with different words and make them fit somehow, so you'll have at least ten pages." I go to school with people who write up to twenty pages of poo - and can't spell or write proper grammar - but receive good grades for it. Sadly, some of them don't read very well either.

I remember - in middle school - having assignments that called for expanding one statement into one or two whole paragraphs using adjectives and unnecessary details. Stupid!

I think it would be cool for kids to be taught languages from primary school to graduation! Sewing is just a hobby, though. :hellopanties2:

[Rye]

I think minor sewing is important to learn, small life skills! I learned that in middle school, which was good. But I think it should be taught in High School in a Life 101 class, along with business skills and money management and stuff. Veeeery important.

[Levian]

Ever since 7th grade we could only ever pick between French and German, both not very useful languages unless you want to live in France or Germany. I'd prefer to learn Spanish myself, such a versatile language. spoken across the globe. I'm very much fascinated with English myself though, but if I ever am going to learn another language it should probably be Spanish. Or maybe Italian, but that's only because it sounds friggen awesome

[Rye]

Wow, I thought you took in English in school as well! I guess you learned all on your own, then. =O Wow.

Also, I'd make English as a subject allow more independent and self-choice in terms of reading.

[Jowy]

This thread's not about David Bowie, I'm disappointed.

[Shlup]

Replying to this thread properly could cost me my sanity. I am out.

[Rye]

[Madame Adequate]

This thread's not about David Bowie, I'm disappointed.

Need an extra 'ch' for that!

Anyway. I would reduce the amount of testing required massively. It's a disaster and students are educated to do exams, not to actually be informed.

Place much more emphasis on teaching people how to think than teaching them any specific facts.

Voucher system.

No gym. But encourage more clubs of more kinds and fund them properly. (This may just be a British thing, or a schools I went to thing, though.)

Hot teachers must wear short skirts and low cut tops. (This includes hot male teachers.)

Oh and stop fannying about making a big deal because someone sends a text message or whatever. Just generally chill.

The single most important thing though would be mandatary, comprehensive sex education beginning in some form as soon as children enter school. Just the facts.

[Crimson]

Why would you want to learn German? It's a dead lang- *gets shot and mangled by angry german pplz*

[Marshall Banana]

Oh and stop fannying about making a big deal because someone sends a text message or whatever. Just generally chill.

And when students want to go to a restroom! Why do they have to ask permission, carry a sign/teacher note, and/or be scolded for needing to pee?!