Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Privateer]

[Novernae]

[rhinocharge64]

Hey Bobby Boy, kiss my British butt....hair and all you maggot.

[Adventurer]

It is kind of interesting that the Scottish children faired well on these tests. I do not think it is really news that many children in both England and the U.S. are horrible, in comparison to other Western countries, when it comes to geography.

The question is why do children in Scotland, Sweden, Canada, and Germany have a more in-depth knowledge of geography when compared to their Anglo-Saxon counterparts from the U.S. and England?

I think it is sad that many of the English children did not know where Iraq was located on a map. There are English troops in Iraq, so, it goes without saying, it looks sad to some British troops that some of their brethen back home have not taken an interest in the country where they have been placed.

The Scottish, on a side note, have been a very highly productive nation when it comes to contributing to the British Empire, Canada, and the U.S.
I believe Alexander Graham Bell was of Scottish descent and the first PM of Canada was Scottish, and according to a book about millionaires, many people of Scottish descent are some of the most affluent people in America. I believe the book was called "The Millionaire Next Door".

[happeningthang]

[Junior]

England has dumbed down a lot in the past 50 years.

losing the empire was a big factor in their dropping geography.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Yeolchae]

[Satori]

Still think that the reason why this stuff is happening is much more interesting than simply saying it's happening and getting nationalistic about which country is the lest educated about geography. Basically it's someone's fault, but I doubt it's the kids. I refuse to believe they are just getting dumber. Either the curriculum has changed and there is less focus on geography, or the teachers are getting worse at thier job and just not covering enough ground in the allotted time.

Personally I don't think geography is a vital subject, but it is a valid and interesting subject. It's something that you could easily teach yourself as an adult if you had the need or desire. But if you're an adult and you can't write a coherent sentence it's a bit late. You can try to drag yourself up, but you're seriously behind the curve on that one. I think the core subjects are English and Math. And I think there should be a third core subject, called "Thinking Skills", where analytical, lateral, creative, logical, and problem solving thinking skills are taught. Filling the head with information is not expediant anymore. You can get what info you need from the net or other sourses. It's what you do with that information that is important. So being able to process information, analyse it, form and test hypothoses, make goals, form plans, summarise things, and express your findings powerfully and coherently are the skills we need to focus on.

Knowing where a place is on a map, if you have no interest or need to know, is a bit abstract for me.

[happeningthang]

[drumpounder]

War is God's way of teaching americans geography.

Especially if it's an illegal war, where innocent civilians are being slaughtered in the 100's of thousands in cold blood.

Where's my flag?

[Adventurer]

I do think it is interesting that England and the U.S. both are similar when it comes to taking an interest in geography. Yet, I cannot understand why the Scottish fare better than their English counterparts on the same island? Does anyone from the British Isles have an answer for why their Scottish counterparts fare better on the exams? Would the Scottish also fare better in other subjects when compared to their English counterparts?

A poster mentioned that English and Math should be the main subjects i.e. the bread and butter subjects. I would definitely include English and treating English as a neglected art that needs to be appreciated. It seems academia is almost apologetic when teaching English because academia often avoids teaching sophisticated English when compared to the past. As far as Math, I would not place it over science. People need to stop spoiling children and give back instructors the power to write the correct grades of the students. A major part of the problem is that teachers are afraid of the parents and the deans of their schools. The grades are curved in North America, Canada, and England.

As far as the U.S., it has long replaced Brittania as the leading power. It is more important for the U.S. to be aware of world geography. However, I think it is more important for people in the Anglo-Saxon world to be aware of their history, laws, and be encouraged to vote. That should be a priority before learning where China is on the map.

Anyway, fellows, if we are to criticize the lack of learning among the youth, should we not capitalize words such as American and English?
If we don't even capitalize the word English which is the name of the language we are using then that is not good on our parts. We use language to learn geography, history, and math. I think if we encouraged children to connect more with the written, then they would read more books which often contain information about other cultures and places.

[Hollywoodaction]