to think that the advantage of a classical education is that it enables you

[grovel]

in later life to despise the riches which it prevents you from attaining?

No idea what the op is on about.

The advantage of a classical education is that other people sometimes mistake your wankery for intelligence.

The advantage of a classical education is being able to answer loads of questions on University Challenge. Without one any contestant can expect to be sneered at by Jeremy Paxman; thus is v valuable.

That sums it up. Valuable for about fifty people in the world

You can have 'classical education', be fluent in Latin, Spanish, Greek, Italian and ...still crap in English, look at my posts

Latin enables me (and my children) to know when to say "I" and when to say "me". Tis is a rare and precious skill.

Wrong.

Understanding the English Language enables you to do that.

Grovel (OP)

Would you share with us your definition of a "classical" education? My education was most definitely classical however...

Most contributors believe that this means having studied Latin or Greek but I suspect that is not the whole story.

I reckon she meant "Emphasis on Latin, Greek etc..........."

malinois -because both are keen to advertise themselves in that way!

matsikula - no, Spanish. Interestingly (well to me, anyway) the Polish children I teach find it straightforward because of the declensions. Many primary schools now run Latin clubs, have you heard of Minimus?

Unfortunately, many of my English teaching colleagues don't know when to use 'me' and when you use 'I' because for many years English was taught badly in schools. I can honestly say that I learnt more about the English language through Latin than from my English teachers. FWIW I attended a 'standard' comp and teach in one. Though I would love to know what 'standard' entails exactly! Perhaps you received better English teaching than I did, PigletJohn. I suspect you may be a littler older than I am though!

I think it's very sad that such narrow-minded views about a so-called dead language prevail. Surely we need to appreciate the huge influences of such a culture on our culture and language today?

I'm now interested to know what subjects you feel it is a waste of time to study, PigletJohn. We could end up with a very dull curriculum.

I am a mere boy.

I have no objection to people learning a dead and useless language; however I do not support the view that it is a good idea because it gives transferrable skills. You can also get transferrable skills from learning something that is alive, vibrant and relevant; and this gives far more benefits, whether it is another modern language, or something else.

I stupidly opted out of Latin. I did go on take Classics at GCSE and then A level. I thought it would be easy and fun, all the myths and that. Then I realised that knowledge of them was taken for granted and had to go and find it all out myself. No bad thing really, reading around a subject.

A level was bloody difficult. You're talking about the history, the art and architecture, the political and economic changes, the literature and the culture of a thousand-year period. There was one module, 20% of the syllabus I think, which wasn't even taught as there was no time to cover it properly in class. So we had to do it independently. I can't imagine today's students having that sort of responsibility and it was pre-internet!

I'm still amazed that the great classical Greek buildings / sculptures were originally garishly painted in primary colours and like the fact that Hollywood gets the gladiator, "thumbs up / thumbs down" thing wrong every time.

it's 'transferable' PigletJohn. Derived from (surprise, surprise) Latin trans - cross and fero - I bring/carry. I would still like to know what subjects you deem worthy. And my lessons are vibrant and relevant! Apologies for assuming you are older than me.

The point is really that the schools where classics was taught tended to be good schools and quite often selective ones. Though I think there are some benefits to learning Latin as a basis of other languages it was really the learning experience provided at such schools that made the difference, not the subjects which were taught.

The best subjects I ever studied were Communication Studies (media studies with a bit extra basically) and Psychology at A-Level, then law as a degree, because for the first time I was taught to question and think critically and not just to absorb knowledge handed down from on high.

Critical thinking should be taught as soon as possible and not left until advanced level studies. Doesn't have to be done under the guise of the subjects referred to above, though I think certain elements of those subjects are the ones which have most stuck with me and been most useful in life.

Ghoulwithadragontattoo is right. It's so that you can win the weekly at home University Challenge contest hands down .

Random stealth boast fact: I once cried when I only got 90% in a Latin exam. What an insufferable little prig!

jetgirl Wed
"I would still like to know what subjects you deem worthy"

I am all in favour of learning things that are of themselves useful.

Not in favour of learning things that are of themselves not useful, just because the learning experience adds some transferable or transferrable skills.

For example, I would not approve of six hours a week being spent doing jigsaw puzzles at age 15, on the grounds that it improves pattern recognition. Or six hours a week of Rubik Cube on the grounds that it improves manual dexterity. Or six hours a weeks spent learning a language that nobody actually speaks in real life except out of nerdish pretension, like those people who learn the Star Trek language (what's it called?).

So what would you have on our school curriculum, then? You have stated what you would not value, what do you value?

reading, writing, arithmetic, spoken English, written English, modern languages; IT; finance; consumer rights and law; loans, mortgages and gambling; human biology; health and disease; sex and relationship; wiring a plug; preparing and storing food; working in teams; employment and workplaces; comparative religions; economics; politics, lots of stuff.

If you seriously want to, name a few things and I'll possibly be able to offer an opinion on whether they're (a) useful (b) likely to have transferable or transferrable skills.

Did you mean to omit Chemistry and Physics?) Without which the modern world wouldn't exist - a bit useful don't you think?)

Electronics, other tech subjects. Wiring a plug isn't useful any more, BTW, its as obsolete as Latin now everything comes with a plug! Kids program chips now, you know.

I said "name a few things"

I have no objection to Chemistry and Physics.

I don't agree with you that nobody will ever wire a plug in future.

Would you consider EPROM and the like to be part of IT?

I don't agree with you that nobody will ever wire a plug in future.
Anyone with nous can work it out. Anyone without nous had probably get someone with nous to do it for them

Would you consider EPROM and the like to be part of IT?
not sure. TBH I'm not entirely convinced by IT as a separate subject. But that's a whole different thread maybe .

Piglet, your list is admirable and well-thought-out but it wouldn't help your working-class child to instantly understand literary allusions when confronted with William Blake*, for example. Or biblical references, or any of the rich canon which is our heritage.

*Because that happens to me all the time. Sinister hooded youths accosting me in alleys hellbent on discussing relief-etching

"Piglet, your list is admirable and well-thought-out"
I am overwhelmed by your kind words

No objection to adding a "Literature" subject, as well as some kind or art-appreciation, and some kind of performing arts.

Also a "speaking to groups" as a precursor to Public Speaking.

My first ever flowers! Makes a change from the humphy face or utter flamings I usually get

You are most kind, PJ.

ANYWAY... I forget. who wants to know why Hollywood get it wrong r.e gladiators thumbs up or down? It's very interesting, honestly.