Mandarin? Sturgeon must make English a priority
WHAT on earth is nicola Sturgeon on these days? And what will she not do to make herself look as though she is a leading international (in politically correct parlance) statesperson?
i read with concern that we have a shortfall of 500 teaching positions but what is nicola suggesting? Let’s all learn Mandarin.
i believe Mandarin may be spoken by the greatest number of people in the world but i also believe that by far the majority of these people live in, and will probably not leave, China. How many Scottish schoolchildren will visit China in the ensuing years?
i also believe that english is the most widely spoken and understood language across the world and is probably the first choice of a second language in most countries. Perhaps if schools in Scotland were allowed to concentrate on our own language and raise the quality to levels of yore, then our nation would be better equipped to understand what foreign visitors are trying to say when using our language in conversations with us.
A common complaint from teachers is the time they have to spend on peripheral matters which should be learned at home, and while many parents treat these responsibilities with diligence and pride, there are some who prefer to leave such things to teachers. the result of this means that there is valuable teaching time lost to the remainder of the class.
in conclusion, there is a great amount of disquiet among teachers which cannot impress potential applicants to the profession. So, allow teachers the privilege of teaching the appropriate lessons and regaining the pride and satisfaction of their profession and perhaps there will be encouragement for others to join them.
IAIN SCALLY, Cannich, Inverness-shire. the First Minister, on her Chinese visit will now consider Mandarin language lessons in Scottish schools. i would strongly suggest she put more effort into getting english lessons right before she considers anything else. it would appear there are 500 teacher vacancies unfulfilled in Scotland and primary classes are larger than they were in 2006. education standards are down and morale among teachers is reported to be at a low ebb.
the Scottish Government cannot ignore this situation which is a devolved issue. However, i suppose none of these things matter as nats pursue their one and only target.
MEV BRAID, Glenrothes, Fife.