I'm British and ashamed...

[ozzy72]

Speaking as a teacher this just proves what I've been saying for years!

Millions of adults have such poor reading skills that they struggle to keep up with karaoke lyrics at Christmas parties, research has found.
The Department for Education's Get On campaign found classic songs like 'Summer Nights' from Grease (starring John Travolta) require the reading and English skills expected of an 11-year-old, yet more than 5.2 million adults struggle to read them. About 17.8 million adults had problems with other favourites such as 'Angels' by Robbie Williams. Skills minister Phil Hope urged adults to brush up reading skills if they struggle to sing along.

So nearly one third of all Britains can comfortably be classed as twits
Time for a cup of tea and a good book methinks

[expat]

Time for a cup of tea and a good book methinks

What will it be then Ozzy, Topsy and Tim go to the seaside or Topsy and Time and the little lost rabbit  ;D

Matt

[ozzy72]

It'll probably be reading Cinderella to my daughter AGAIN! I've got flu and no voice left but that doesn't mean I get out of reading Cinderella

[expat]

I know the feeling, my oldest (he is 4) for the last two weeks only wants The Gruffalo read to him at bed time. I can now recite it backwards in my sleep.  ::)

Matt

[eno]

We were talking about this in the pub the other night ......whilst attempting to read the beer menu through beer goggles  ;D

[ozzy72]

I'll swap you some Disney books for something I'm sick of Mickey Mouse.... in fact if I catch any mice round here they're going in the microwave [smiley=grin.gif]

[Hagar]

It'll probably be reading Cinderella to my daughter AGAIN! I've got flu and no voice left but that doesn't mean I get out of reading Cinderella

You can blame the schools & the teachers all you like but this is the main problem here. Parents don't have time to read to their children any more. Plonking them down in front of the TV set for hours at a time is no substitute for it.

PS. Unfortunately it seems that many parents are incapable of reading to their children. What a sad state of affairs.

[ozzy72]

I couldn't agree more Doug. Emi loves it when we sit together and I read to her. It is always special... Mind you she also enjoys playing FS as well 8-)

[BFMF]

I'll swap you some Disney books for something I'm sick of Mickey Mouse.... in fact if I catch any mice round here they're going in the microwave [smiley=grin.gif]

Just be carefull and don't burn it

The other night, A buddy of mine tried cooking some Habenero flavored popcorn in my roommate's microwave. He burned it, and the smoke was similar to mild CS gas. I had to run outside because my eyes, nose, mouth, and throat were burning. I was coughing to much and couldn't breath the fumes....

[Cobra]

It'll probably be reading Cinderella to my daughter AGAIN! I've got flu and no voice left but that doesn't mean I get out of reading Cinderella

You can blame the schools & the teachers all you like but this is the main problem here. Parents don't have time to read to their children any more. Plonking them down in front of the TV set for hours at a time is no substitute for it.

PS. Unfortunately it seems that many parents are incapable of reading to their children. What a sad state of affairs.

hmmm nah, I dont think so... My mums a doctor and my dads an investment banker, and were both in quite early stages of their career when I was younger so I didnt see a huge amount of them...and never got read to. I think I turned out OK though, predicted 4 A's at A-Level now

I blame labour, and the welfare state... there is just not incentive for people to do well. If there was always the chance of being forced to starve and live on the street I think people would be enclined to work a bit harder. If it was up to me I would scrap the WHOLE benifits system this second and let people sort out their mess for themselves!

[ozzy72]

I've heard comments like that before Cobra. It isn't a solution. I was unemployed for 4 months once and I spent all my free time looking for jobs. I even walked to every pub and shop in every surrounding village armed with my CV in the hopes of getting something. It is necessary.
However I do feel that in Hungary they've got it right with the long-term unemployed (you know lazy sods not people who actually have health issues). They have to do a certain number of hours of community work per month or they don't get their benefits. Tis amazing how spending your autumn raking leaves in the rain or your spring sweeping up fag butts at the bus stop in the rain can motivate people to find a job. Also it keeps things nice and clean 8-)
Alas these days we have a victim culture and it is all "my rights" rather then "my responsibilities". In the words of one of my favourite US Presidents "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country".

[Cobra]

However I do feel that in Hungary they've got it right with the long-term unemployed (you know lazy sods not people who actually have health issues). They have to do a certain number of hours of community work per month or they don't get their benefits. Tis amazing how spending your autumn raking leaves in the rain or your spring sweeping up fag butts at the bus stop in the rain can motivate people to find a job. Also it keeps things nice and clean 8-)

I LOVE that! You guys got it dialed over there! Why don't we have a system like that :-?

[Woodlouse2002]

Not sure how you can blame the welfare state on people getting a poor education. Really the people to blame are the conservatives and old labour for making a pigs ear out of the education system.

[ozzy72]

It isn't just the politicians who are to blame for the state of British education. You've got many people who've had a stake in screwing up the future! Alas even though we in Europe have seen how much the American system has screwed things up for the American youth we're copying that model. So make the world a better place and shoot a lawyer today

[expat]

So make the world a better place and shoot a lawyer today

Starting with Mr and Mrs Blair  8-)

Matt