Urdu? Come off it!

[NikkiB]

There are plans to teach children, amongst other options, Urdu.
Sorry but too many people coming to this country speak Urdu and nothing else, to our great expense. There is no social, and certainly no economical reason, why Urdu should be funded by the taxpayer. French, yes. They are our neighbours and major trading partner. Learning Urdu will not shape a child for life in Britain or Europe.

[sp1814]

This is an astonishing thread.

Put simply...schools will teach English. They now have the option to teach Urdu as part of the foreign language curriculum.

Now...what's the problem with that?

It will not be compulsory...it's an option.

Like I asked before...could someone please tell me what's wrong with that, because for the life of me...I can't work it out.

[rabbitygirl]

I have absolutely no connection with schools now (dont even accept computer vouchers in Tescos) but I just wonder how kids can tackle so many varying subjects during the school week. Now Gordy wants kids having 5 hours of PE a week too (quite rightly) so will they have to start going in on Saturdays as well soon?

[Reverandfunk]

SP - I don't have a problem with kids learning a language I just find it so funny that we think that teaching kids a second language is a good idea when a lot of them struggle to read and write in their first language i.e., english. My ex's daughter had an appalling level of numeracy and literacy as did most of her friends so what exactly is the point of them learning a second language?

[Haggisdj]

Reverandfunk has been make a perfectly good and valid point all the way through this thread and most people are ignoring it...

Surely it is going to be a mammoth task trying to teach pupils any other language when the cannot even grasp the basics of English.

[sp1814]

I think the two issues aren't related. I don't know about numeracy, but I agree that knowledge of grammar and spelling amongst younger (university educated) colleagues is shockingly poor.

I don't think cutting language lessons in order to devote more time to English is the answer...I reckon it's the way English is taught is the problem, coupled with a greater number of distractions with which kids can fill their time with.

We were lucky back in the 70s. We had no distractions...just power cuts and flares.

[ludwig]

Isn't urdu what you get in a Liverpool barber's?

[MrBen5]

Hmmm, i know some say its not being imposed on the kids yet.
But, when only a couple of kids take up the subject, others are forced into taking it as there aren't enough resources elsewhere. Its not financially viable to employ a teacher to teach just 2 kids, so they then reduce the class sizes of french/spanish, etc and force the kids into taking urdu.
I have seen this happen...

[ludwig]

What's the big deal? It's just as valid to teach this as any other second language.

[welshwil]

if there is a demand for it, then it should be an option, i wish i could speak more languages. also welsh should be compulsory in wales,

[Reverandfunk]

Thank you haggis at least 2 dj's know what they are on about lol

So when kids are getting turned down for jobs/interviews because they can't construct a letter or a CV properly at least they will have the fundamentals of Urdu/any other language to help them through life....

[BillStickers]

Can you remember the outrage when they tried to teach children Latin and Classical Greek in schools?
Oh, no, I don't either. I was even taught basic Sanskrit as a child, I could recite the Sanskrit alphabet at age nine.

I'm sorry but I can't see anything wrong with educating youngsters and helping to broaden their minds.

[Dolly1308]

NikkiB they are just getting the children ready for when THEY take over !!! Be prepared .