DjDan Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 Some people expect teachers to do everything and to be everything. Perhaps I should point out that a teacher is a normal person (human like all us non-teachers), and they are employed as teachers because they have specialist knowledge in a particular field, combined with a strong ability to teach it. You may expect an English teacher to be very particular with grammar, spelling etc. but can you really expect a teacher of Geography, Physics, History to be english language specialists? Does it really matter? We should expect a Geography teacher to be able to teach his field of expertise, and those topics pertaining to the syllabus. If your children learn sufficiently about Geography... job done. Anything else is to be taught in the home. If your children are poor in their grammar or spelling ... teach them yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Sausages Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 You don't have to be a language specialist to be able to spell and punctuate properly. It's a pretty basic skill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DjDan Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 Unless of course you are not a native English speaker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Sausages Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 It's still a basic skill, and one that is essential to effective written communincation regardless of your native language. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DjDan Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 But does that have an impact on teaching? - i think not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Sausages Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 Unless teaching involves no written communication, yes it does. Every class I attended involved the teacher writing things, pupils reading them, pupils writing things, and teachers reading them. Poor spelling and punctuation makes all of that difficult and confusing. I'm still puzzled why you think the native language of the teacher makes a difference. I'd expect any teacher to be fluent in both verbal and written English if they are teaching (any subject) in English. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Tatlock Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 Does it really matter? We should expect a Geography teacher to be able to teach his field of expertise, and those topics pertaining to the syllabus. If your children learn sufficiently about Geography... job done. Yes it does matter. We could end up with people travelling to Lindon, Utah, instead of London, England, believing that the Sahara Dessert consists of mainly apple crumble and custard, and large pieces of scenery being pushed through our letterboxes when we order Ford parts on ebay and get sent Fjord parts instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinnieK Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 You may expect an English teacher to be very particular with grammar, spelling etc. but can you really expect a teacher of Geography, Physics, History to be english language specialists? Does it really matter? Yes, because written communication is a fundamental and vital aspect of society and civilization and school should reflect this fact in general, not just in English lessons. Teachers may well be specialists, but the ability to communicate via the written word is an important part of any discipline, including the sciences, and as such they should be able to correct their students on such matters and set a good example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grant Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 It's still a basic skill, and one that is essential to effective written communincation regardless of your native language. Was this done on purpose Sausages? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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