Heads, teachers and the way they speak.
Moderators: Section Moderators, Forum Moderators
-
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:43 pm
- Location: Dubai, UAE
Heads, teachers and the way they speak.
I know that this is probably not pc but not having lived in the UK for many years I am not sure what is and isn't pc. I was wondering if it is acceptable these days for teachers to speak badly? I am not talking about regional accents but poor english. Where my children are at school both the head and deputy head do not speak particularly well. I've noticed that many of the non British parents comment on this openly but it's a bit of an awkward issue for the many British parents. Am I out of touch?
My English is pretty poor (dyslexia) so I rely on OH for this. If he reads a prospectus which is not grammatically correct he won't even look at the school! Regardless of how much you are paying, correct speech is vitally important. Unfortunately you can't criticise the Head so if it is really an issue for you then you may have to move schools. I'm assuming parents from overseas have sent their children to English schools to improve their English along with the education. I would be very frustrated in that instance.
-
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:43 pm
- Location: Dubai, UAE
All communication that comes from the school seems fine but then there is spell check and admin. staff to take care of that side of things! It's the way they speak more than anything, dropping t's etc. One of them says 'aw - white' instead of 'alright' for example. Is that accent or poor english? The majority of the staff speak well which makes it even more strange for the parents that the head and deputy do not. How can I put it without sounding like a complete snob?! I can't so I won't try to, neither of them sound particularly well educated!
-
- Posts: 1806
- Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2006 2:29 pm
- Location: Berkshire
Constantia, this can be down to regional dialect.
DS had a problem with speech, so he was referred to local NHS speech therapist.
As the weeks progressed, I was horrified to learn that she was not going to cover letter sounds 't', 'r' and 3 other letter sounds, which I forget.
The explanation given by the fully qualified NHS speech therapist, was that within the local dialect these sounds were not heard, and therefore not taught within this area.
I of course, at the time, took every opportunity to instill in DS that there is a 't' sound in words such as ...water!!!
DS had a problem with speech, so he was referred to local NHS speech therapist.
As the weeks progressed, I was horrified to learn that she was not going to cover letter sounds 't', 'r' and 3 other letter sounds, which I forget.
The explanation given by the fully qualified NHS speech therapist, was that within the local dialect these sounds were not heard, and therefore not taught within this area.
I of course, at the time, took every opportunity to instill in DS that there is a 't' sound in words such as ...water!!!
As a native 'Cockney' myself I do appreciate the problem with regional dialects. I moved to Cornwall when I was 6...and was forever being told that I wasn't saying the words correctly when I was reading aloud.
It is unfortunate that a 'London' accent is seen as not being 'educated' but that is the way it is.
I, too, try to install in my son that if there is a 't' in a word then you should say it.
My comment to him not an hour ago......
'That would be.... li'le with two t's then.'
It is unfortunate that a 'London' accent is seen as not being 'educated' but that is the way it is.
I, too, try to install in my son that if there is a 't' in a word then you should say it.
My comment to him not an hour ago......
'That would be.... li'le with two t's then.'
-
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:43 pm
- Location: Dubai, UAE