Why is English so important?

Question

I would really like to voice my opinions about the English subject in high school.

It is compulsory, yet teaches nothing valuable AT ALL.

What is so important about learning how to decipher poetry? Why do I need to be able to pick out the cinematic conventions in a movie? Why do I have to get a c**p about the values and attitudes in a movie?

Why is so much useless c**p taught in english?

Over the last few years of high school, (8, 9, 10, 11) I have learnt nothing valuable at all. I will never need to be able to write poetry for software designing, I will never need to decipher cinematic conventions for software designing, I will never need to pick out the values and attitudes of a movie for software designing.

So why is english compulsory?

Sure, some people might be considering careers as movie directors, writers, or poets, but you don't see them being forced to do Computer Science to graduate high school.

So, my main question is: why is English so important?

The least it could do is teach me how to use more complex grammar and spelling, such as semi colons. After 10 and a half years of school, I still have no idea how to use them.

Answer 1

ENGLISH is important, but what they teach you could be revised.

Many kids still don't know the difference between your and you're, there their and they're. Many people don't know the difference between then and than. Many people can't even speak English. Honestly, I have learned more from people flaming me online than I ever did at school.  

Answer 2

I understand the point that you're trying to make. However, do not fail to realize that the world that we live in only goes for the best. English is communication. Communication: it's how I'm explaining why English should be taught in all schools (well, at least in the US). Society will frown upon those than know nothing about literature. Besides, if you want to go after a girl, writing a romantic poem is something.

In order to excel at software designing, you need a good college. In order to get into college, your english must be strong. The SAT has a written section. English IS important. In order to get a job, you need a strong resume.

Movies are a way to express people. I'm not exactly sure, but I believe that a software designer has to know how to fit the needs of the people so that something will be fixed. By finding out what the atittudes are for a certain product is like a movie. Using it, you can manipulate it so that your product will be the best. How do you think the iPOD got so famous?

What kind of school do you go to? Do you take honor classes? I'm sure that in 10 and a half years, at least one teacher has taught you how to use semi colons.

It's awesome that you're questioning the need for English, you have a great future in software designing.

Here's a link that teaches semi colons: http://www.class.uidaho.edu/adv_tech_wrt...

Answer 3

hmm maybe so you can have some knowledge

and not be an illiterate?!

Answer 4

I'm a high school English teacher.  First, I'll defend our ridiculous curriculum.  The state has a detailed list of about 96 objectives I'm supposed to make sure my students master.  They include things as specific as "recognizing conventional grammar" to "reading for enjoyment."  I'm not sure how I'm supposed to grade you on reading for enjoyment, but the state of Michigan would like me to.  Second, teachers choose the ways in which they will get across these objectives, and they usually choose materials they are familiar with, such as Shakespeare, their favorite poetry, even Great Expectations.  Hmmm.... that's pretty much all I have by way of defense.

   Now to the points I agree with:  English curriculum is filled to the brim with c**p that you will never use.  But only if you look at it in very specific, minute pieces.  For the teacher that gives you all that junk and doesn't tell you why you're studying it, he or she is an idiot. Their job is to let you know why they want you to learn something, and more specifically, what they want you to learn.  If your teachers really think that they want you to learn poetic conventions, they're not thinking.  What they should be wanting you to do is explore other cultures and history by way of literature, develop a strong sense of self by way of the personal essay, recognize b.s. when it is being shoved down your throat by the media by way of the persuasive essay, I could go on and on, but I'm already boring myself.  My point is, a good English teacher is teaching you ways to express yourself, and yes, even a computer software designer (especially a designer) will need to know how to communicate his or her thoughts.  (And I teach my students grammar, which is also in the state-mandated objectives.  Most of my fellow English teachers in the building do not.  So I believe you definitely have a point.)  

Answer 5

Well, not only does English often give you insights into history, but different cultures as well as your own.  And what would life be if there wasn't culture?

I mean, either way, you could ask the same questions on why foreign languages, physical education, or certain sciences are required some places as well.

The answer: while it just helps you develop in knowledge, it also helps sort of "mold" you and make the average kid more "well-rounded" as well, which is ultimately the goal of educators in my book.

Answer 6

I actually agree with you a lot.  Honestly, in my opinion, English should be taught up until eighth grade which completes the grammar part of it usually.  Going into literature is just bogus, who learns from reading the Odyssey and Great Expectations anyway?

Answer 7

Hmm... I see what you're trying to say, but I believe it comes from an apparent lack of interest... I mean, it's the language we speak, for one, we have to know how to use it correctly. And I'm sure your teachers have taught you, but you were too busy wondering why you need to learn your native language in order to pick up on the know. Also, as someone else said, English is communication, and learning to analyze things helps us think better... it allows us to be creative and use our minds, and people who just don't have that 'spark' usually aren't good at the subject because they prefer logic to actually having ideas that can come from any source...

You have to be literate, of course, and English is the class that helps you do so. Also, computer science as important, but you do need to know how read and comprehend things for that career... (plus, if you want to write a letter or go for a career, wouldn't you want to know how to sound professional and not like a two year old?)

When I first saw this, I was like, "Wow, what a stupid question..."

Not trying to be mean, but it sort of is..

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