why is english taught the way it is taught for native speakers?

Question

Native speakers of the english language have been given the short stick and it seems to have been getting worse.
illiteracy is so common these days but, on an academic level most people don't have a chance because, we are not taught the complexities on how to write essays to differing levels.
These skills need to be taught and these could be if they were covered in year 11 and 12.
I remember my higher education experiences. there were many instances where my ability to write was questioned. When I asked them why they did not help sholars become better writers?, They replied, " that is what we should have learnt at high school".
Hang on ... but we are not taught these skills so, where are we supposed to learn these skills. I know ... one day i will trip over, hit my head on a rock and "boom", i can write a perfect essay .
Tell me your story

Answer 1

I had the same experience.
My HS English teacher told me she was "the best in the business" at teaching kids how to write.
Then, I got to University of California, Irvine and they told me everything I had learned was wrong. They put me in a remedial English writing course (I had been an honors student in HS)-- and along with about 50 other students, we learned the basics.
It was practice, practice, practice.
Eventually, I got the hang of it and went from D's to A's.

Frustrating though, and I would still like to throttle my old HS teacher for wasting my time.

Answer 2

I don't know what you're talking about. I learned how to write essays in high school. I wrote many essays during that time. Either you went to a bad school or just didn't pay attention. At any rate, in my college they also had a class to help people who had problems with writing essays. I'm sure that your college does, too. If it doesn't, you need to ask Sally Struthers for your money back.

Answer 3

i learned to write essays in high school. (public hs, not private) my writing was considered fine at university. the only thing i had trouble with was the difference in referencing - but that was quickly sorted out. most universities offer classes for stuff like this anyway, so try and find out about them.