HUZZAH! Banned from Rentech.com!
ElviraGoth:
Quote from: breyerii on 2005 August 19, 01:59:06
He came to me and explained a most formal way to ask for things, "Do you think you could please..."
That's funny, because I was brought up to politely ask for things in a similar manner!
Quote from: ZephyrZodiac on 2005 August 19, 01:58:08
I think it's more a matter of profit! There's no profit in schools using last year's text books!
That probably has more truth to it than we'd all like to think, ZZ. Unfortunately, the "no child left behind" thing has caused some teachers in this area to give their students the answers to the SAT tests so they get more federal funds from having more students in the high test score range. A shame that those few would rather take the easy road than teach the skills those kids would have benefited from more than the false test score.
breyerii:
Then he WAS right!
But our English teachers - in Eastbourme, if you want to know - also told us things like, the verb "may" is becoming old fashioned. [But, I'm sticking to it. I have the "there's no two things" mentality.]
ZephyrZodiac:
Since the difference in sense between "may" and "can" is quite distinct, the teacher concerned seems to need educating! I always remember when I was teaching, if a child put up their hand and asked "Please Miss, can I go to the toilet" I would reply, "Oh, yes, I should think so!" Then when they got up to leave the room, I'd ask, "And just where do you think you're going?"
I won't finish the conversation, as I'm sure you can all work out the ending!
breyerii:
Zephyr,
I'll keep it in mind forever. And ready for any teacher I should meet! ;)
ElviraGoth:
I seem to remember a similar circumstance in school when I was young...a good example of the difference between "can" and "may"!
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page