Is spelling not important anymore? I am a teacher and if I had to grade most of you, you would fail!?

Question

If you SPEAK English and think this country should have English as its primary language, then why should I not expect you to be able to spell the language you are speaking?????

Answer 1

This is the result of two generations of integrating public schools, and one generation of politically correct nonsense dictating school policy.

Integration was supposed to elevate the lowest on the social ladder, but in doing so, it also lowered the upper tier, so that backward attitudes regarding scholastics and social issues are now the norm. In essence, we were hoping to develop more Condoleeza Rices, Thurgood Marshalls and Colin Powells. What we didn't count on was the Eminem factor, which, sadly seems to be the norm in today's schools, and no one has the courage or wherewithal to point this out.

Spelling is just one symptom of this disasterous decline in American society. Look at the way the little monsters dress, and the filth they listen to. It sickens me!

I had occasion to see, briefly, a school dance a while back. What I saw shocked me to the core. I saw the mixing of social classes that was unthinkable in my day, and the dancing itself.......scandalous. It was more dry humping than dancing. Back in the days when students were compelled to spell correctly, dress correctly, and behave correctly, behavior like what I saw would have landed everyone involved in jail.

We have been sold a bill of goods. There once was a time when good was good, and bad was bad, and that was that. Period. We are well on our way to destruction as a society, not from outside forces, but by the loss of our moral compass and traditional values. Celebrating incorrect spelling (and believe me when I tell you that much of what you read is intentional, a political statement stating that "I REJECT YOUR VALUES!!") is a tiny symptom of a massive disease consuming our once proud nation. I'm truely sorry that I live in these times and have to see it happen.

Answer 2

First, I feel your frustration. I'm not an English teacher, but I am an educator, and I am having a difficult time accepting "change" in the English language. For example, I am appalled every time I see "their" used as a singular, as in "tell your child to leave their books home." I am told that this is now "acceptable". Grrrr!!

Second, I have always been an excellent speller, won spelling bees in school, blah, blah, blah. But I have found that I am actually becoming a WORSE speller because of spell check!! Why? Because I've become lazy since I know I'll be checking it all out anyway. Another example of the pros and cons of technology!

Good luck with teaching the future spellers of the world. You're going to need it!!

Answer 3

I suppose most of the contributors here are much younger than us. They have been 'chatting' since they were very young, and this kind of communication (ie. instant messaging, emails, electronic communication) has its own language. It's sad that kids these days don't know how to spell anymore. Not too long ago, the Americans bastardized the English language as well, so this idea shouldn't be new to the majority of you. Also, keep in mind that it is not only Americans who use this site! There are many other nationalities represented here for whom English is not their first language, and tolerance is expected.

Answer 4

I think that the Internet/instant messaging world is a separate sphere from the purely academic world. Speaking (conversational or not), writing an essay, and writing in a casual internet atmosphere are completely different. Since there are no ways to match the speed of talking face-to-face, I think that people shorten and intentionally misspell words to facilitate communication. I know this because I am one of those nerdy academic students. I know how to spell words, and my friends get irritated when I correct their errors in spelling. However, when I do talk to them online, spelling conventions just aren't as strict because these messages are not graded. I can also say that I pursposely correct my spelling errors online, if need be. For example, I am enrolled in an online class, and I try to spell everything right. Basing your arguments from what you see online is not a good gauge of how good a person is in spelling.

Just view internet misspellings as another dialect in the English language.

Answer 5

English is the primary language, teacher. However, people are using short form more and more, and they are thinking about allowing it as proper spelling. I wonder to myself what that will mean for those of us who know how to read and write and spell.

Answer 6

my stepfather is also a teacher and i have been his spell check since i was in 4th grade so don't be so high and mighty. lots of people want to answer quickly and are using abbreviations commonly found in text messaging or use spelling and language found in ebonics therefore it's another language, and appropriate. language will be obsolete evenytually anyway. lastly, the internet is worldwide so not all the participants are american or english.

Answer 7

Well you must understand one thing. As a teacher, you're used to your students doing their best and applying themselves in your classroom using proper grammar and spelling.

While I agree that we should all strive to use proper grammar in an online enviroment, I myself tend to be very lazy at times, and don't concern myself with the correct ways of writing. I certainly don't take the road of 'hi how r u?', but I also don't punch myself if I accidentally mispell a word, or forget capitalization or correct sentence structure.

The online enviroment is a place for many of us to relax, and so we are more lax here in regards to our style. However, those kids that use the internet and are just simply awful both online and offline with spelling and grammar... those are the people who have real problems.

Answer 8

I totally agree! And if you don't mind my saying so, I think I would pass your class with flying colors, because for one thing, I won the spelling bee in the county where I lived when I was 14. Also, when I was in high school, I served as a copy editor on the school newspaper staff for two years.

Answer 9

Well we ain't in school so get over it you can't fail me.. You sound like to are missing school so you can give some F's When I was in school 35 years i had a teacher like you! She diden like me and I diden like her. As a matter of fact I disliked her so bad I quit school because of her. Ever day and i mean ever day she would put me down telling me how stupid or dumb i was. And I had to hear it I coulden say anything because back then if you talked back to a teacher you got sent to the office! But one day I had enough of it and told her to kiss my azz. Well she said for me to go to the office and i quit that day. Well to make a long story short. Now 35 year later I make a lot of money working on cars. And you know what ? Yes i have even worked on the Know it all teachers car to. So see you teacher aint as smart as you think you are KNOW IT ALL!!!! Now grade that Numb-Skull!! And you know what miss teacher "YOU" Heard it here first from a REAL Nutcase!!!"""NUT'S""""PS ...did i win...did i win...I dont even care if i win!!!

Answer 10

No, spelling is not important anymore. In the real world, there are spell checkers, so it isn't as important to memorize the spelling of every single word.
I agree with leakser68

Answer 11

Oh get a life! Have some fun... You don't have to be a teacher when you're not in the classroom. You sound like a control freak, which best place would be in the classroom coz you can only control those you're "looking down" at.