Today's youth spells badly

tsa · 02-01-2010, 10:29 AM

Today I found an interesting article on the Web about the bad spelling of many University students. The spelling skills of many of them are so bad they have to be taught proper English in order to be able to write passable reports, essays, etcetera. Many say SMS, Facebook and the like are to blame for this. Others say people don't get taught proper spelling in high school anymore. What do you think? Is this a big problem in your country, and why/why not?

*Fantasysci5* · 02-01-2010, 10:41 AM

Yes, I have that problem. I can't spell to save my life, which is why Spell Check is a lifesaver. I don't think it's Facebook, at least with me, because I try to write in complete sentences, etc on there. I was never good at spelling in school, and we didn't really linger on it.

tsa · 02-01-2010, 10:55 AM

Here in the Netherlands we have the same problem. Some of the people who leave primary school can not read or write at all, allegedly. The math skills of many students are also pretty bad here.

Hammerite · 02-01-2010, 10:57 AM

I'm fine at spelling!

Trunkyo · 02-01-2010, 11:14 AM

I already lamented this in another thread long ago.

I was part of a team working in a different department at the university a few years ago, typing into a database the handwritten comments made by students for their course and instructor evaluations at the end of each term.

I was floored by the poor spelling and grammar of some students (not to mention the atrocious handwriting). What was frightening was the fact that some of the students were English, Writing or Education majors!

The problem with students relying too much on Spell Check for essays and term papers is that a certain word might be spelled correctly... however, they're using the wrong word.

The one error that always made me chuckle was "intense" vs. "intensive" (i.e. a lot of course material to learn in a short time). Whenever a student wrote "This course is too intense", I would imagine the professor angrily shouting at the class (probably about their bad spelling and grammar)!

I don't think grammar, spelling, handwriting and writing style are as important as they were decades ago. My younger cousin always asked me for help with his essays (usually with grammar and style, luckily he was a good speller

), since even he admitted none of his teachers really taught him essay-writing skills.

The stepdaughter of a friend of mine is entering high school next year and she doesn't know her multiplication tables and can't tell time on an analog clock! Ugh.

Guess who volunteered to be her math tutor???

tsa · 02-01-2010, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammie

I'm fine at spelling!

Yes, but I bet you know quite a few people who aren't.

DustyShinigami · 02-01-2010, 12:49 PM

I'm also fine at spelling. At least... in my opinion. As far as I know, anway. (

)

If I'm unsure about certain words, or I feel that I've written a word incorrectly, I'll check Word's spell checker or use Google. I always make sure, before posting in forums for example, that my words are spelt correctly, my sentences sound right and everything's neat and to my satisfactory.

I know of a LOT of people that don't bother doing that. Especially when it comes to texting and facebook.

I can't stand heavy use of text and internet slang. Teenagers are notorious for overusing slang. I may use a teeney tiny bit of slang when texting, when I text at all, but only because you're limited to how many characters you can use. But I certainly don't overdo it. I prefer to write properly.

I never had any problems with English in school - spelling, writing, speech - then and now. I'm quite a neat writer, so a lot of people have told me, I used to love writing stories and got good marks for them, and I've been told that I'm articulate.

Mathematics, on the other hand...

Giligan · 02-01-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Today's youth spells badly

I find that grammatical mistake ironic. I can't lie.

I'm pretty meh about spelling, myself. Words are malleable.

Hammerite · 02-01-2010, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammerite

I'm fine at spelling!

I was meant to write 'I'm shit at spelling', but I spelt 'shit' wrong.

bulldog · 02-01-2010, 02:43 PM

I'm not very good at spelling....... especially if there are two forms of the word...... like "where or were" "your or you're" I have to concentrate to make sure that I get it right, but even then I make mistakes......... but I have always been a poor speller. All I can say is I try and I hope that its not so bad that you can't understnad me

UPtimist · 02-02-2010, 03:00 AM

Here's the usual: in the forums and whatnot, you can usually tell who's a native English speaker and who's foreign by looking at who makes the most mistakes. That one is then the English speaker.

watergirl · 02-02-2010, 12:11 PM

I'm ridiculously anal about spelling things correctly. I've even joked sometimes about status jumping on FB and correcting everyone's mistakes. Horrible at grammar, though. Can't properly place a comma to save my life.

*Fantasysci5* · 02-02-2010, 01:01 PM

I'm almost exactly the opposite. I can't spell to save my life, but I love trying to be grammatically correct, with commas and everything.

And I'm also horrible at math.

tsa · 02-02-2010, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UPtimist

Here's the usual: in the forums and whatnot, you can usually tell who's a native English speaker and who's foreign by looking at who makes the most mistakes. That one is then the English speaker.

Here it's actually not so bad, but on Slashdot I spell better than many native speakers.

tsa · 02-02-2010, 01:19 PM

But what I really want to know from you is not wether you can spell or not, but if badly spelling students are a problem at the universities in your country, and if so, what you think the cause of that is, and if not, why you don't have the problem in your country. We now know there is a problem in America and the Netherlands. But what about Germany, Sweden, Finland, and all the other countries in the world?

bulldog · 02-02-2010, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fantasysci5

I'm almost exactly the opposite. I can't spell to save my life, but I love trying to be grammatically correct, with commas and everything.

And I'm also horrible at math.

I'm the same..... a bad speller, and bad at math.

Hammerite · 02-02-2010, 03:06 PM

Maths.

Trunkyo · 02-02-2010, 09:14 PM

Mathematics is shortened to "math" instead of "maths" in North America, Hammy. And "tutoring" is used instead of "tuition" in the sense of extra help with schoolwork and studies. Pardon me while I consult my English-English dictionary some more.

Jazhara7 · 02-03-2010, 01:29 AM

You people know I am the local Grammar Nazi...and probably now also Spelling Nazi, since Neike hasn't been around lately. Though I am the nice kind. Not only in English, but also in German. I tend to correct people when it's not too much of a disruption or too rude. One example is "make sense" that is rapidly being adapted in the German language, though it doesn't "make sense" in it. The correct German term would be "Es ergibt Sinn" (which you could translate as "It computes" ^^ ). Or the difference between "das Selbe" und "das Gleiche" (basically they both mean "the same". But you can wear "das gleiche" shirt as a person, meaning they are identical, but you can't wear "das selbe" shirt, meaning the exact same object.).

-

UPtimist · 02-03-2010, 07:48 AM

Is the use of commas a part of grammar?

Jaz: by "local" do you mean here in the forums or there where you live? Because I always thought that here it's Lacey who's the ruling grammar etc. nazi.

I on the other hand am known within friends & co. as an overzealous corrector of English pronounciation and grammar.

Some don't take kindly to that

02-01-2010, 10:29 AM	#1
tsa Playing character Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 7,472	Today's youth spells badly Today I found an interesting article on the Web about the bad spelling of many University students. The spelling skills of many of them are so bad they have to be taught proper English in order to be able to write passable reports, essays, etcetera. Many say SMS, Facebook and the like are to blame for this. Others say people don't get taught proper spelling in high school anymore. What do you think? Is this a big problem in your country, and why/why not? Share Share this post on Twitter

02-01-2010, 10:41 AM	#2
Fantasysci5 Stalker of Britain Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Missouri, US Posts: 4,535	Yes, I have that problem. I can't spell to save my life, which is why Spell Check is a lifesaver. I don't think it's Facebook, at least with me, because I try to write in complete sentences, etc on there. I was never good at spelling in school, and we didn't really linger on it. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ "And everyone's favourite anglophile, Fantasy!"-Intense Favorite Adventure Games-Lost Crown/Dark Fall 1&2, Longest Journey games, Myst games, Barrow Hill Favorite Other Games-King's Bounty, Sims 2, Fable, Disciples 2 Gold Currently Playing-Trine 2 Games I Want-Kings Bounty: Warriors of the North!!!, Asylum, Last Crown, Braken Tor, Testament of Sherlock Holmes

02-01-2010, 10:55 AM	#3
tsa Playing character Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 7,472	Here in the Netherlands we have the same problem. Some of the people who leave primary school can not read or write at all, allegedly. The math skills of many students are also pretty bad here. Share Share this post on Twitter

02-01-2010, 10:57 AM	#4
Hammerite kamikaze hummingbirds Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Over there. Posts: 7,946	I'm fine at spelling! Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ The bin is a place for household rubbish, not beloved pets!

02-01-2010, 11:14 AM	#5
Trunkyo Beamin' Demon Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: C&D HQ in London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,005	I already lamented this in another thread long ago. I was part of a team working in a different department at the university a few years ago, typing into a database the handwritten comments made by students for their course and instructor evaluations at the end of each term. I was floored by the poor spelling and grammar of some students (not to mention the atrocious handwriting). What was frightening was the fact that some of the students were English, Writing or Education majors! The problem with students relying too much on Spell Check for essays and term papers is that a certain word might be spelled correctly... however, they're using the wrong word. The one error that always made me chuckle was "intense" vs. "intensive" (i.e. a lot of course material to learn in a short time). Whenever a student wrote "This course is too intense", I would imagine the professor angrily shouting at the class (probably about their bad spelling and grammar)! I don't think grammar, spelling, handwriting and writing style are as important as they were decades ago. My younger cousin always asked me for help with his essays (usually with grammar and style, luckily he was a good speller ), since even he admitted none of his teachers really taught him essay-writing skills. The stepdaughter of a friend of mine is entering high school next year and she doesn't know her multiplication tables and can't tell time on an analog clock! Ugh. Guess who volunteered to be her math tutor??? Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world. Jack Layton, 1950-2011 Last edited by Trunkyo; 02-01-2010 at 02:00 PM.

02-01-2010, 12:49 PM	#7
DustyShinigami The Quiet One Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Staffordshire, UK Posts: 1,986	I'm also fine at spelling. At least... in my opinion. As far as I know, anway. () If I'm unsure about certain words, or I feel that I've written a word incorrectly, I'll check Word's spell checker or use Google. I always make sure, before posting in forums for example, that my words are spelt correctly, my sentences sound right and everything's neat and to my satisfactory. I know of a LOT of people that don't bother doing that. Especially when it comes to texting and facebook. I can't stand heavy use of text and internet slang. Teenagers are notorious for overusing slang. I may use a teeney tiny bit of slang when texting, when I text at all, but only because you're limited to how many characters you can use. But I certainly don't overdo it. I prefer to write properly. I never had any problems with English in school - spelling, writing, speech - then and now. I'm quite a neat writer, so a lot of people have told me, I used to love writing stories and got good marks for them, and I've been told that I'm articulate. Mathematics, on the other hand... Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Now Playing: Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars - The Director's Cut (DS and iPhone), DOOM 3: Resurrection of Evil, Hotel Dusk: Room 215, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Justice for All, Silent Hill - HD Collection Recently Completed: Max Payne, Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne Next: Bayonetta, Devil May Cry - HD Collection, Max Payne 3, Metal Gear Solid - HD Collection, Silent Hill: Downpour

02-01-2010, 02:43 PM	#10
bulldog Second Degree Black Belt Join Date: May 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 6,086	I'm not very good at spelling....... especially if there are two forms of the word...... like "where or were" "your or you're" I have to concentrate to make sure that I get it right, but even then I make mistakes......... but I have always been a poor speller. All I can say is I try and I hope that its not so bad that you can't understnad me Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Lord make my words as sweet as honey, for tomorrow I may have to eat them. “Pretty badass and tough and won't take crap from anyone” -Squinky

02-02-2010, 03:00 AM	#11
UPtimist Life and times of... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Up there in the mist Posts: 6,025	Here's the usual: in the forums and whatnot, you can usually tell who's a native English speaker and who's foreign by looking at who makes the most mistakes. That one is then the English speaker. Share Share this post on Twitter

02-02-2010, 12:11 PM	#12
watergirl Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1	I'm ridiculously anal about spelling things correctly. I've even joked sometimes about status jumping on FB and correcting everyone's mistakes. Horrible at grammar, though. Can't properly place a comma to save my life. Share Share this post on Twitter

02-02-2010, 01:01 PM	#13
Fantasysci5 Stalker of Britain Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Missouri, US Posts: 4,535	I'm almost exactly the opposite. I can't spell to save my life, but I love trying to be grammatically correct, with commas and everything. And I'm also horrible at math. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ "And everyone's favourite anglophile, Fantasy!"-Intense Favorite Adventure Games-Lost Crown/Dark Fall 1&2, Longest Journey games, Myst games, Barrow Hill Favorite Other Games-King's Bounty, Sims 2, Fable, Disciples 2 Gold Currently Playing-Trine 2 Games I Want-Kings Bounty: Warriors of the North!!!, Asylum, Last Crown, Braken Tor, Testament of Sherlock Holmes

02-02-2010, 01:19 PM	#15
tsa Playing character Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 7,472	But what I really want to know from you is not wether you can spell or not, but if badly spelling students are a problem at the universities in your country, and if so, what you think the cause of that is, and if not, why you don't have the problem in your country. We now know there is a problem in America and the Netherlands. But what about Germany, Sweden, Finland, and all the other countries in the world? Share Share this post on Twitter

02-02-2010, 03:06 PM	#17
Hammerite kamikaze hummingbirds Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Over there. Posts: 7,946	Maths. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ The bin is a place for household rubbish, not beloved pets!

02-02-2010, 09:14 PM	#18
Trunkyo Beamin' Demon Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: C&D HQ in London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,005	Mathematics is shortened to "math" instead of "maths" in North America, Hammy. And "tutoring" is used instead of "tuition" in the sense of extra help with schoolwork and studies. Pardon me while I consult my English-English dictionary some more. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world. Jack Layton, 1950-2011

02-03-2010, 01:29 AM	#19
Jazhara7 Ale! And keep 'em coming! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Beyond the Pattern of Reality...or Germany Posts: 8,527	You people know I am the local Grammar Nazi...and probably now also Spelling Nazi, since Neike hasn't been around lately. Though I am the nice kind. Not only in English, but also in German. I tend to correct people when it's not too much of a disruption or too rude. One example is "make sense" that is rapidly being adapted in the German language, though it doesn't "make sense" in it. The correct German term would be "Es ergibt Sinn" (which you could translate as "It computes" ^^ ). Or the difference between "das Selbe" und "das Gleiche" (basically they both mean "the same". But you can wear "das gleiche" shirt as a person, meaning they are identical, but you can't wear "das selbe" shirt, meaning the exact same object.). - Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ - "esc(x) cot(x) dx = -csc(x)!" Dennis added, and the wizard's robe caught on fire. "Gosh," Dennis said, "and some people say higher math isn't relevant." >>>Inventor of the Mail order-Assassin<<< And This...is a Black Hole - BYE!

02-03-2010, 07:48 AM	#20
UPtimist Life and times of... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Up there in the mist Posts: 6,025	Is the use of commas a part of grammar? Jaz: by "local" do you mean here in the forums or there where you live? Because I always thought that here it's Lacey who's the ruling grammar etc. nazi. I on the other hand am known within friends & co. as an overzealous corrector of English pronounciation and grammar. Some don't take kindly to that Share Share this post on Twitter

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