Should I correct a teacher?

[Sadgirlonatrain]

In my son's recent geography homework, one of the questions on the sheet referred to the decline of coal mining in the North East.

"How would this of effected the area?"

No wonder the use of 'would of' is so widespread now, never mind the incorrect use of 'effected.'

Would you say anything to the school?

We were told to mark for content in Geography as opposed to the use of English spelling and grammar. When you are assessing work you are looking at their Geographical skills and not spelling or grammar. There used to be a section out of 5 marks which was awarded for that so a tiny part. I wouldn't expect to see this from a teacher however!

Marking for content is one thing. But if you care about your students' prospects, wouldn't you alert them to SPAG errors that might reflect on them poorly when they apply for uni or jobs?

I'd certainly gently let them know of 'alarm bell' errors like could of, pacifically, to all intensive purposes etc, that might get a knee jerk rejection from a uni, or from an employer who needs someone who will be communicating in writing on behalf of the company.

Most universities do not read personal statements and for most subjects those that do are not that interested in the quality of written English, but rather whether or not the student is interested in the subject they have applied to study and what they have done to further that interest.

IMO if people are getting to and through university with poor spelling and grammar, universities are failing them and us all. It's quite possible to have good written English AND to be interested in the subject you've applied to study and to have taken steps to further that interest.

Okay. So do you care enough about your students' prospects to gently bring those errors to their notice so that they don't get judged once they ARE at uni, at work, or anywhere else, for being ignorant of a simple (once it's pointed out) grammatical error?

DH did (maths homework) and the teacher thanked him.

As the Head at our school says to parents who are wondering about going private,

"We all went to the same universities."

Rather enjoyed reading this post - particularly loving "spelling is the pinnacle of your intellect" 😁

Gosh, that's magnanimous of you

Of course you should say something! Why would you even hesitate?!

I remember once colouring a map of the world that my school teacher had given to us in geography class, aged 10, and my big brother pointed out that the equator was in the wrong place!

It's a disgrace.

I was pointing out that using "correct" English is unlikely to hinder most students prospects of getting into university.

I totally agree!

Well, it should. (assuming what you mean is 'using "incorrect" English').

@LimitIsUp i mean my own grammar and punctuation - not anyone else's!!! Sorry that did sound very condescending.

Bullying doesn't happen in private schools?

I feel as though I may have heard it all now.

Ah, got you. No worries

"jgw1
I was pointing out that using "correct" English is unlikely to hinder most students prospects of getting into university.

Well, it should. (assuming what you mean is 'using "incorrect" English')."

I have had to copy & paste the above due to the quote limitations.

Stop embarrassing yourself @DameHelena - what a ridiculous assertion. I suppose you know better than University of Cambridge researchers?

www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/07/dyslexia-enhanced-abilities-studies/

Stop displaying your ignorance, it's cringeworthy

@Sadgirlonatrain You don’t know that the teacher wrote this do you? It could easily be a resource copied from someone or somewhere else. What’s important here? Is your child happy with the teaching? You could have a very talented and inspirational teacher who didn’t pick up on a spelling error - it’s stupid to suggest they are illiterate. This could have been a resource picked very quickly - some lessons can be planned carefully but in the real world of teaching there are moments when the teacher is under inhuman pressure to plan, assess, mark, report, etc. Honestly look at the bigger picture and think about what’s really important. You are right - there are a couple of spelling mistakes - 99% of half literate people would have spotted it. Focus on what’s important - if you haven’t got anything more important to focus on with respect to your child’s education…I think you’re missing the point. Complain of it makes you think you’re a being a great parent.

My mum was a retired teacher. She still tutored and found a teachers’s site for free worksheets. Every single one she downloaded had at least one mistake. They had an offer on at the time that if you emailed them the mistake/ corrected version you got a m&s voucher. In the end she got banned as they felt she was demoralising teachers who had submitted their work.

I do quite enjoy your high-handed tone in your insults, I must say.

I know plenty of people with dyslexia who can nonetheless put together a piece of writing without errors like this. Some of it is due to work and application (admirable), some to finding someone non-dyslexic to check it for them (admirable – showing initiative and awareness).

"I do quite enjoy your high-handed tone in your insults, I must say."
Ironic since you would exclude talented individuals from higher education based on imperfect SPAG. You don't get more high-handed than that

I wouldn't be so patronising as to mention it.

My son corrected his teacher in year 4 about the capital of Brazil. She said it was Rio and he told her it was Brasília. He got told off for being rude. She did look it up and realise she was wrong but didn't apologise 🤷‍♀️😆

Before you and @DameHelena get too deep into your argument, could I just point out that this isn't necessarily a debate about dyslexia at all. Of course people with dyslexia can be incredibly intelligent, but nothing in the OP indicates either the presence or absence of dyslexia in the teacher in question – it could be that or it could be simply be that they aren't very good at English. Both are just assumptions made by various PPs, there isn't any evidence either way.