What would you change about the current education system?
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My list of things is too long to post here, but the very top is funding, curriculum, training and structure around pastoral support.
Students are able to be more successful in their academic lives when there's personal development as well. There should be space for real, contextual, impactful and expert education around things like mental health, sexual health, career, life skills, relationships, resilience - the list goes on. Some schools do try to do this, but even the most well-intentioned can only be so impactful when there's not enough institutional support in the system for these sorts of things, and the priority is so skewed toward exam results.I suppose the other caveat is that it must be taught well, and it must be seen as important across the board, otherwise it can tend to be seen as a bit of a joke.
I also don't think schools should bear all responsibility for pastoral support - parents and other community organisations have a very important role to play too. But schools can't become little human factories where the focus is just on the numbers in relation to exam results. These are the people who are going to lead the world one day - we have to make sure they have ALL the skills to do that (not just a grade on a piece of paper).
Students are able to be more successful in their academic lives when there's personal development as well. There should be space for real, contextual, impactful and expert education around things like mental health, sexual health, career, life skills, relationships, resilience - the list goes on. Some schools do try to do this, but even the most well-intentioned can only be so impactful when there's not enough institutional support in the system for these sorts of things, and the priority is so skewed toward exam results.I suppose the other caveat is that it must be taught well, and it must be seen as important across the board, otherwise it can tend to be seen as a bit of a joke.
I also don't think schools should bear all responsibility for pastoral support - parents and other community organisations have a very important role to play too. But schools can't become little human factories where the focus is just on the numbers in relation to exam results. These are the people who are going to lead the world one day - we have to make sure they have ALL the skills to do that (not just a grade on a piece of paper).
Original post by super_kawaii
Well if that's the case there's no point in learning anything.
The only reason we have so few students studying language is because they're done so horrifically in this country. Only compulsory in the vast majority of schools for 2 years and then are the most horrific way of teaching anything.
If they were done properly from the first day of nursery then maybe we'd have more people doing them. Languages need importance in our curriculum, especially as English is not spoken by everyone.
The only reason we have so few students studying language is because they're done so horrifically in this country. Only compulsory in the vast majority of schools for 2 years and then are the most horrific way of teaching anything.
If they were done properly from the first day of nursery then maybe we'd have more people doing them. Languages need importance in our curriculum, especially as English is not spoken by everyone.
Better to focus more on English and maths, which will be required in every post school studying or working. Languages are good but whats point when students are still failing maths and English. More support should be offered to such students.
Original post by super_kawaii
Would be good if this was a separate option alongside starting first year in a specialised course. I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I applied and being forced into a general year on top of my 4 compulsory years would have put me off uni, which actually ended up being amazing for me
Fair enough.. Yeah you could have different streams, one for those unsure of what to study and one for those who already know.
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Original post by Boss987
Better to focus more on English and maths, which will be required in every post school studying or working. Languages are good but whats point when students are still failing maths and English. More support should be offered to such students.
And with that we say goodbye to a diversified workforce which we so greatly need!
I went to a school where you were seen as a retard if you didn't go into a STEM subject and honestly it is not something I support. We need a diversified workforce-yes maths is useful, but it's not the be all and end all. Creativity is essential. Plus we can't maximise our mathematic and scientific knowledge without being able to communicate with other cultures.
Also, foreign languages has also been hugely beneficial in my usage and understanding of English, my native tongue, due to a greater understanding of how language works. If you want kids to understand their own language, teach them another
I'm not saying don't offer help, but when you solely focus on one or two subjects, that's how you destroy education in its entirety
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by shadowdweller
What one thing would you change about the current education system? What benefits do you think this change would have?
Minimal homework. Because parents get too involved with children's homework.
Benefits are that there will be more family time and less isolation of scholars ( engrossed in their homework till midnight)
look at what other countries do including high educational attainment countries such as Finland and don't try and return education to the 1950s
scrap public exams at 16
scrap a levels and do more subjects from 16-18, end harmful early specialisation
scrap grammar schools
end charity status for fee-paying schools
end state funding for all religious schools
make all state funded schools mixed - we don't practise gender segregation in employment or higher education
scrap applying for degrees based on predicted not achieved grades
scrap public exams at 16
scrap a levels and do more subjects from 16-18, end harmful early specialisation
scrap grammar schools
end charity status for fee-paying schools
end state funding for all religious schools
make all state funded schools mixed - we don't practise gender segregation in employment or higher education
scrap applying for degrees based on predicted not achieved grades
Original post by super_kawaii
Would be good if this was a separate option alongside starting first year in a specialised course. I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I applied and being forced into a general year on top of my 4 compulsory years would have put me off uni, which actually ended up being amazing for me
Fair enough.. Yeah you could have different streams, one for those unsure of what to study and one for those who already know.
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Dunno. It's hard to make changes to the system as a whole because different people use it for different reasons, and thus have different needs from it. Changes made to benefit some might (unintentionally) harm others.
Original post by super_kawaii
And with that we say goodbye to a diversified workforce which we so greatly need!
I went to a school where you were seen as a retard if you didn't go into a STEM subject and honestly it is not something I support. We need a diversified workforce-yes maths is useful, but it's not the be all and end all. Creativity is essential. Plus we can't maximise our mathematic and scientific knowledge without being able to communicate with other cultures.
Also, foreign languages has also been hugely beneficial in my usage and understanding of English, my native tongue, due to a greater understanding of how language works. If you want kids to understand their own language, teach them another
I'm not saying don't offer help, but when you solely focus on one or two subjects, that's how you destroy education in its entirety
I went to a school where you were seen as a retard if you didn't go into a STEM subject and honestly it is not something I support. We need a diversified workforce-yes maths is useful, but it's not the be all and end all. Creativity is essential. Plus we can't maximise our mathematic and scientific knowledge without being able to communicate with other cultures.
Also, foreign languages has also been hugely beneficial in my usage and understanding of English, my native tongue, due to a greater understanding of how language works. If you want kids to understand their own language, teach them another
I'm not saying don't offer help, but when you solely focus on one or two subjects, that's how you destroy education in its entirety
Obviously foreign languages have great benefits but currently we have one of the lowest literacy rates in Europe. To improve foreign languages whilst English and maths are ignored is stupid and pointless. I am not saying foriegn languages should be ignored but as of now its important that we make sure every kid read, write and do basic sums. It's important that they are comfortable with the basics of english and maths, then other languages will be easier and more beneficial
Original post by Jack22031994
Languages!!!
Start learning languages at a much earlier age (around 4 or 5!) We start far too late here. My Auntie teaches English to 3 and 4 year olds in Germany.
inb4 someone says 'It doesn't matter, everyone speaks English' <<<< Terrible attitude
Start learning languages at a much earlier age (around 4 or 5!) We start far too late here. My Auntie teaches English to 3 and 4 year olds in Germany.
inb4 someone says 'It doesn't matter, everyone speaks English' <<<< Terrible attitude
When we're getting ****ed in the arse by super-calculator Chinese mathmos, I say we forget about those useful subjects which will cement our place in the world order in the years to come. Instead, we should learn Swedish to allow us to converse with Anglophone Swedes in their native tongue!
Original post by Notoriety
When we're getting ****ed in the arse by super-calculator Chinese mathmos, I say we forget about those useful subjects which will cement our place in the world order in the years to come. Instead, we should learn Swedish to allow us to converse with Anglophone Swedes in their native tongue!
Don't think the two are mutually exclusive somehow.
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by Jack22031994
Don't think the two are mutually exclusive somehow
Oh, don't you somehow. It is not as if taking MFL at an early age, so that students are conversant in the languages taught, would take up a lot of time and take away from the teaching of the other subjects which are of far more importance. No, Jack the Lad, says it is not mutually exclusive somehow. Guess he is right, because he is a very considered and deliberate person after all.
Original post by Boss987
Obviously foreign languages have great benefits but currently we have one of the lowest literacy rates in Europe. To improve foreign languages whilst English and maths are ignored is stupid and pointless. I am not saying foriegn languages should be ignored but as of now its important that we make sure every kid read, write and do basic sums. It's important that they are comfortable with the basics of english and maths, then other languages will be easier and more beneficial
If they had an understanding of other languages, their english will naturally be better as you learn how to understand it better. My english (native) vocabulary is much better since I can speak a fair bit of German.
Original post by Jack22031994
If they had an understanding of other languages, their english will naturally be better as you learn how to understand it better. My english (native) vocabulary is much better since I can speak a fair bit of German.
U learned the basics right? A lot kids don't learn the basics. U are right about other languages helping develop English but when u don't know the basics it's unlikely
Original post by Notoriety
Oh, don't you somehow. It is not as if taking MFL at an early age, so that students are conversant in the languages taught, would take up a lot of time and take away from the teaching of the other subjects which are of far more importance. No, Jack the Lad, says it is not mutually exclusive somehow. Guess he is right, because he is a very considered and deliberate person after all.
I'd argue the 'far more importance' part, and it wouldn't take up a huge more amount of time anyway.
You're attitude 'Oh not someone is learning french, how dare they not do maths!!!'
Not that doing one mean they can't do the other
**(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by Boss987
U learned the basics right? A lot kids don't learn the basics. U are right about other languages helping develop English but when u don't know the basics it's unlikely
I agree but Im sure the 3 and 4 year old german children my auntie teaches english to, don't know all the basics of German either. That isn't an exclusive problem to the UK.
Original post by Jack22031994
I agree but Im sure the 3 and 4 year old german children my auntie teaches english to, don't know all the basics of German either. That isn't an exclusive problem to the UK.
Yeah. The thing is Germany is doing something right as they have a much higher literacy rate than UK. The working class is a result of the stupid education system. It hasnt got too much opportunities for children who lack the English and maths
Original post by Boss987
Yeah. The thing is Germany is doing something right as they have a much higher literacy rate than UK. The working class is a result of the stupid education system. It hasnt got too much opportunities for children who lack the English and maths
True, I take your point.
Original post by Jack22031994
I'd argue the 'far more importance' part, and it wouldn't take up a huge more amount of time anyway.
You're attitude 'Oh not someone is learning french, how dare they not do maths!!!'
You're attitude 'Oh not someone is learning french, how dare they not do maths!!!'
This is another problem. Learn French and you don't learn English.
And you would argue the point, but you're actually not? You have adduced not an ounce of argument in support. And for the English-as-second-tongue countries, they certainly spend several hours a week on English. Unless you want students to not be conversant, but merely aware of, then it is going to take several hours a week to achieve that. These several hours cannot be spent on other subjects which have more utility.
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