‘English-speaking schools’ - so, schools in the UK, which is the topic? I don’t mean to be condescending with that - I just don’t quite understand. I’m a Brit. The only ‘English’ lessons I’ve ever had in school were English lit. And I learnt more about effective written communication in History and effective verbal communication in Drama lol.
There’s English language which studies the language and English lit that studies literature in the English language. Then you had ESOL, English as a second language that is for those who aren’t native speakers.
I’m in New Zealand but from conversation with people who transferred from Britain, Australia etc it had seemed to me that the UK system teaches English in high schools in much the same way as it is taught here.
That was my assumption, sounds like I was partially wrong, and that mileage over there varies a lot more than I thought, if they were only teaching literature in your classes.
The UK-based Cambridge exams are also taught here, and their English syllabus maps pretty closely onto what I think of as “English” the high school subject.
You’re not being condescending and I can see why you think it’s strange that your compatriots value English so highly, if for you it was just the literature component.
English is the most useful subject? As in English Literature? Useful? What?
No - English literature is a separate subject.
You had English Language as well as English Lit at school?
Yes. In the UK, English and English Lit are separate GCSE and A level subjects
Is the provision of one of them by itself associated with schools serving lower socioeconomic areas?
I know over here we used to have two kinds of English and one was pitched at people who planned to leave school at 16.
No. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gcse-english-language-and-gcse-english-literature-new-content
I don’t think they mean literature. “English” in English-speaking schools is more about how to communicate better.
‘English-speaking schools’ - so, schools in the UK, which is the topic? I don’t mean to be condescending with that - I just don’t quite understand. I’m a Brit. The only ‘English’ lessons I’ve ever had in school were English lit. And I learnt more about effective written communication in History and effective verbal communication in Drama lol.
Look at your GCSE certificates. It would either be English or English lit, or both.
There’s English language which studies the language and English lit that studies literature in the English language. Then you had ESOL, English as a second language that is for those who aren’t native speakers.
You might find this interesting https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zrjh92p#znbpf821
I’m in New Zealand but from conversation with people who transferred from Britain, Australia etc it had seemed to me that the UK system teaches English in high schools in much the same way as it is taught here.
That was my assumption, sounds like I was partially wrong, and that mileage over there varies a lot more than I thought, if they were only teaching literature in your classes.
The UK-based Cambridge exams are also taught here, and their English syllabus maps pretty closely onto what I think of as “English” the high school subject.
You’re not being condescending and I can see why you think it’s strange that your compatriots value English so highly, if for you it was just the literature component.