[Boothy]

Originally Posted by Jords

I think people are just getting lazy, rather than being thick..

yeah, i;d agree with this. i think a llot also boils tdown to interest too. Like, if I'm ionterested in a subject, I'll go an research it. there are too many distractions these days to actually get interested in worthwhile stuff

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Boothy

yeah, i;d agree with this. i think a llot also boils tdown to interest too. Like, if I'm ionterested in a subject, I'll go an research it. there are too many distractions these days to actually get interested in worthwhile stuff

Spot on, I totally am in agreement with you.

[patsylimerick]

Tried this earlier but it got lost. The two most knowledgable historians I've ever met were educated to, at best, the age of 12, first time around. They both subsequently returned to higher education much, much later in life. At that stage they were contributing more than they were taking by adding to the body of knowledge in their areas of expertise. So to Stacey and anyone who feels the same way on the subject I would suggest joining their local library. Books, books, books, to very badly paraphrase Joyce, yes, yes, yes.

[Omah]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7115692.stm

Based on test results in 2006, the UK has lost the top 10 positions it held for both subjects seven years ago.

The most successful countries in reading are South Korea and Finland and teenagers in Taiwan and Finland are the highest achievers in maths.

In 2000, the UK was placed eighth in maths and seventh in reading - the UK in the latest table is in 24th place for maths and 17th for literacy.

The countries which were ahead of the UK in reading in 2000 - Finland, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Korea - remain in the top 10 for this year.

But the UK has now been overtaken by countries including Poland, Sweden, the Netherlands and Japan.

In maths, the UK has been overtaken by a group of improved performers, including Slovenia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Austria.

[letmein]

Originally Posted by Omah

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7115692.stm

Shocking!

[Niamh.]

Well, I know nothing about the Royals and believe I asked the question about Diana and whether or not her family had titles but I'm not British and know nothing about the Royals so I think that's allowed! The other examples you gave, I believe are life skills that parents should be responsible for not the education system

[Omah]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Well, I know nothing about the Royals and believe I asked the question about Diana and whether or not her family had titles but I'm not British and know nothing about the Royals so I think that's allowed! The other examples you gave, I believe are life skills that parents should be responsible for not the education system

What was the question ?

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Omah

What was the question ?

one of the things on the list in the OP was : "Diana had a title before she met Charles?"

and this is something I asked in the Royal wedding thread.

[Omah]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

one of the things on the list in the OP was : "Diana had a title before she met Charles?"

and this is something I asked in the Royal wedding thread.

Ah, OK .....

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Omah

Ah, OK .....

But like I said, I'm not British so I doubt I'm expected to know the answer anyway!

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

one of the things on the list in the OP was : "Diana had a title before she met Charles?"

and this is something I asked in the Royal wedding thread.

TBH, I didn't know an awful lot about the Royals and their connections etc.
But I borrowed a couple of books which discussed all of the evidence that supports the conspiracy that Diana was assassinated (very interesting read by the way) and that got me researching all sorts and asking questions about the whole family and everything. (Made me detest Camilla too, lol).

Bit late now to get interested in history but I don't think we ever covered the Royal family at school.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by 08marsh

TBH, I didn't know an awful lot about the Royals and their connections etc.
But I borrowed a couple of books which discussed all of the evidence that supports the conspiracy that Diana was assassinated (very interesting read by the way) and that got me researching all sorts and asking questions about the whole family and everything. (Made me detest Camilla too, lol).

Bit late now to get interested in history but I don't think we ever covered the Royal family at school.

I loved history but the Royals weren't on our curriculum

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

one of the things on the list in the OP was : "Diana had a title before she met Charles?"

and this is something I asked in the Royal wedding thread.

To be fair, I wouldn't expect a Brit to know a great deal of the ins and outs of another country (current basics yes, but Diana was years ago - and certainly dependant on ages) - it's all relative.

To put that particular question of 'yours' into context: I had someone in work, Brit born and bred and claims to be a fan of the Monarchy and all things Royal - who didn't even know that Earl Spencer was related - that's more what I was getting at. It wasn't a slight on anyone that's foreign, not at all . If anything: I'd say you blow the pants off some of the daftness I've heard re the British Royal Family from those who really should know MUCH better!

Those were merely examples re Royalty and lack of knowledge due to the wedding taking place at the time of the thread being started - but the thrust was also in respect of education standards in general and overall in the UK, by those taught in the UK. Most of my crew - fabulous workers, cannot fault that at all and dedicated to the end (I'm blessed on that score) - but having to teach some how to address letters, business emails, correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, not using slang or 'text talk' in their work emails, ending with xxxx etc!!!! That type of thing is so common nowadays: seriously - but it's the type of thing that should be getting taught in schools - and not by employers - that's what I mean about the basics. (same with living skills).

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

To be fair, I wouldn't expect a Brit to know a great deal of the ins and outs of another country (current basics yes, but Diana was years ago - and certainly dependant on ages) - it's all relative.

To put that particular question of 'yours' into context: I had someone in work, Brit born and bred and claims to be a fan of the Monarchy and all things Royal - who didn't even know that Earl Spencer was related - that's more what I was getting at. It wasn't a slight on anyone that's foreign, not at all . If anything: I'd say you blow the pants off some of the daftness I've heard re the British Royal Family from those who really should know MUCH better!

Those were merely examples re Royalty and lack of knowledge due to the wedding taking place at the time of the thread being started - but the thrust was also in respect of education standards in general and overall in the UK, by those taught in the UK. Most of my crew - fabulous workers, cannot fault that at all and dedicated to the end (I'm blessed on that score) - but having to teach some how to address letters, business emails, correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, not using slang or 'text talk' in their work emails, ending with xxxx etc!!!! That type of thing is so common nowadays: seriously - but it's the type of thing that should be getting taught in schools - and not by employers - that's what I mean about the basics. (same with living skills).

Oh really? that is pretty bad, you would think that not ending a business letter with xxx would be common knowledge!

[Daniel McIver]

why do people need to know about the royal family if there not bothered. end of.

(by the way i do actually like the royals ,there awesome and im not a school kid anymore but back to the point)

[joeysteele]

What I have found and I think it sad really is when I go abroad,people seem to know so much of their Countries as to now and the past, here in the UK so much is not known by the citizens of the UK.

[MeMyselfAndI]

we dont have lessons about the queen at school, so it's not our fault

[Stu]

Oh look. Removing my posts again. ~Joy!

Makes me feel all warm inside. Like 2007.

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-13310246

Too many young people are leaving school without adequate basic skills, a survey of business leaders suggests. More than four out of 10 are unhappy with youngsters' use of English, while 35% bemoan their numeracy skills.

The organisation's annual education and skills survey also suggests that many employers (44%) have had to invest in remedial training for school and college leavers.

Companies also said young people lacked important employability skills. Some 69% complained about inadequate business and customer awareness and 55% highlighted poor self-management skills.

John Cridland, director general of the CBI, said: "It's alarming that a significant number of employers have concerns about the basic skills of school and college leavers. Companies do not expect schools and colleges to produce 'job-ready' young people, but having a solid foundation in basic skills such as literacy and numeracy is fundamental for work."

[Grimnir]

Youtube video

[Jordan.]

We'll remember this in a few years when you can no longer walk and need help doing things.

[arista]

Youtube video

[InOne]

It does seem kids are pretty uncultured these days. I'm glad I grew up in the 90's when it wasn't all about I Phones and the internet. I loved reading as a kid, doesn't seem the same these days. I blame Chav culture and teen mums