Korean Job Discussion Forums

TeeBee · Joined: 18 Oct 2007

I just sat through a lesson with my co-teacher at a middle school, where he introduced the kids to cursive writing. The worst part was when he asked me if his writing was correct. I have a vague memory of last writing cursive when I was about 13, and haven't needed to read or write it since (thankyou email and internet!). Since the demise of handwritten letters, I'm really not sure that teaching cursive has a place in any ESL curriculum.

What's the point of teaching something like this when the kids are unlikely ever to use it, especially when they struggle to understand me when I ask "What's your name?" or "How old are you?" I think more time could be spent on the basics!

Are there any cursive fans out there who disagree?

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

Almost everyone I know back in the US uses cursive for many things, including taking notes in class, writing shopping lists, notes for family members ("Dinner is in the oven, be sure to turn the oven off."), just to name a few.

ernie · Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Location: asdfghjk

my handwriting is a combination of printing and cursive, and when i write on the blackboard, some students can't read it (even though it is fairly legible), so i would say that students should at least be able to READ it...

nomad-ish · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:47 pm Post subject:

i don't think i've ever seen one of my co-teachers use cursive. i don't think it should be taught until the students are inter./advanced (not that it's hard, i just don't think it's that important).

however, i did use cursive to amuse the girls in my extra class and camp by writing their names in it... they really liked it, thought it was very "pretty"

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

I teach my children the different ways of writing.

They get it quickly.

KYC · Joined: 11 May 2006

I think they should learn it. I'm not a fan of cursive or anything (my cursive is also hideous) but I use it. When I write on the board, it's a combination of print or cursive. The kids don't seem to recognize cursive writing. I always have to either explain to them or erase and write it again.

Binch Lover · Joined: 25 Jul 2005

Why confuse young learners? When I first started teaching I would use my own personal mix of cursive and print. The kids couldn't understand what was written, so I quickly changed. It has its place as something fun to learn, but teachers should prioritise what they teach.

TeeBee · Joined: 18 Oct 2007

I agree that this is confusing to young learners. The point is that the kids struggle with the basics, and now they get exposed to a form of writing which they won't often be exposed to at this level, if at all. Especially when the only person likely to do any cursive writing around them is a native speaker, and, well, there are only five of us in town. I can see a place for it in the higher levels, say intermediate to advanced, but my middle school students are false beginners for the most part. This just seems inappropriate at this level.

genezorm · Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Location: Mokpo

cursive is going the way of the dinosaur...in 50 years i bet it will be extinct
i don't think there is much need for students to learn it these days

ciccone_youth · Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Location: Japan

my handwriting is also a combination of cursive and printing, but when i write on the board i only use print, so it's clearer.

ardis · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

Suwoner10 · Joined: 10 Dec 2007

The dumbing down of education is astonishing to behold. If this thread were an indication, we'll have people who can't read the Declaration of Independence in no time at all.

(I'm assuming the above posters are fellow Americans, no one else would make such stupid utterances.)

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Easter Clark · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong

In response to the question...

I haven't used cursive since middle school. I can write faster and more legibly in print. I think people should be able to read cursive, but writing it is unnecessary, imho.

ernie · Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Location: asdfghjk

although i'm not trying to make life difficult for my students, if my handwriting is 100% legible in my country, students in korea should be able to read it as well, definitely by middle school age...

part of my role as a native speaker is to expose them to some of the quirks that come with learning a new language, and real handwriting is no different than a real accent, IMO... i won't require them to write it, but being able to read it is a must...