Maxine Said:

Are English and grammar classes failing our youth or are kids just not paying attention?

We Answered:

Both. In many classrooms, the curriculum [what is taught, how much time is spent teaching a certain topic] is determined by the teacher. The decision is made based upon the teacher’s opinion of what is important and necessary. However, students are also not paying attention and they are not taught by parents and/or society that good grammar is important [reference email style of writing]. Luckily, the recent surge of interest in testing and standards, will help to take care of some of these issues.

That being said...I would like to point out that the educational issues and priorities for each school and district are actually set by parents. If you review public perception and parental behavior toward education over the past decade, there is a definite correlation with problems that we have had in the educational system. As a teacher, I remember NUMEROUS parent conferences, report cards, and phone calls warning of an impending failure and possible retention of a student. After the decision was made by all of the teachers, it would be overruled because the parent didn't want their student to be held back a grade--despite the fact that the student failed all of his/her classes. The student was moved to the next grade, where he/she continued to earn failing grades, and was eventually moved up again.

This very long story is pointing out the fact that the recent surge in interest in testing is a direct result of the many complaints about students graduating from high school without learning how to read.

My final answer to your question is the student, teacher, principal, district officials, and parents are ALL responsible for the misuse and/or inability to use grammar properly. It requires a team effort, and if one member of the team does not believe in the outcome... everyone loses. Sadly, most of the blame is currently being placed on the teacher and the schools, rather than everyone equally.

Shelly Said:

Can anyone help me to find a software to learn english vocabulary?

We Answered:

Actually, broadening/improving one's language skills is a very broad concept, it should be done in more than one ways at the same time which is highly recommended. One can NOT become better ONLY in one area, say, learning vocabulary, one MUST improve skills in ALL dimensions of the language!

Learning language well requires being as active as possible and making the learning as FUN for oneself as possible. Taking lessons is always important, but equally important are these:

1) Listen/watch: Keep listening to internet radio stations like BBC, watch TV shows in English (use only subtitles, NOT voice dubbing in case you are not a native English speaker!), etc.

2) Write/communicate: Try to find discussion forums from the web about things that you find interesting and FUN (music/various artists, hobbies, etc.) and start communicating there with other people using only English. Start using instant messaging systems in case you find some new friends or start emailing them. Please do NOT be afraid of making mistakes or hesitating, because even native speakers do make mistakes and do hesitate at times! The more you enjoy communicating, the better!

3) Buy yourself a proper dictionary, and each time when you see a strange word that you do not understand, look it up. Putting words into their CONTEXT is one of the best ways to broaden one's vocabulary and grammar knowledge, the more you read and write the better. Memorising is NEVER the best way to go with learning vocabulary, grammar or any other language areas!

The main point in ANY language learning is to make it as fun as possible for yourself. Try to find topics that INTEREST you, read online newspapers (Times, Guardian, Independent...), listen to BBC/NBC and other radio stations online, if you find a discussion forum for e.g. your favourite hobby or your idols in music do participate there, etc. The key word here is CONTEXT, which means that it is easier to learn new words and their usage as well as grammar when you use/see them in their real CONTEXT. The more you see and hear the new words in their context and the more you use them in your speech & writing, the easier it becomes to remember their meanings and correct spelling. Do NOT be afraid of making mistakes though, because even native speakers do make mistakes and do hesitate at times!

I'm sorry there is NO EASY WAY out with this, one really must develop language skills in ALL these language "levels" or dimensions in order to reach better language skills!!

Last but not least: NEVER EVER use ANY online translators, they are nothing but utter rubbish!! English is practically EVERYWHERE in the online world these days, you just have to use your imagination to find it! Learning pace is always personal, it takes the time it takes so there is no reason to hurry it up too much. If you do, you will not learn so well. Also, please learn the basics of the standard English first before advancing to finer details like dialects/accents. A word of warning though: DO stay away from dreadful things like Rosetta Stone, they are nothing but overrated, overpriced and overhyped things (much ado about nothing)!

Good luck!

Terry Said:

Where do I get good Islamic writers/authors who can write in English for kids.?

We Answered:

theres a website that translates for free, just type in translate on google and it will pop up

Jorge Said:

Do kids bother writing actual English sentences anymore?

We Answered:

I'm so glad I'm not the only person bothered by this!
I'm 28, so I've grown up with computers and I've had a cellphone for 11 years. I will use text language when texting because you don't get many spaces, but I refuse to use it anywhere else!
So it takes me half a second longer to type "you" - so what? At least the people reading it can immediately see what I'm saying, they don't have to decipher it first.

It's no wonder kids can't spell and don't understand basic grammar and punctuation. Yes, Otter, quite depressing.