10 Subjects everyone should learn in school

[Shemtov]

you want people to learn english spanish and another foreign language????

spanish is needed in modern america. and another foreign is for cultural understanding.
a list of languages that could be taken should be:
French
German
Chinese
Arabic
Japanese
Italian
Russian
Hebrew

 

[CFE]

1: Language Arts - This includes English, Reading and Writing. Because the ability to express yourself through words, both spoken and written, and in an educated and well constructed manner is essential.

2: History - Because while it is essential to know the road we've taken to come to our contemporary world, it's even more important to know our past mistakes so that we don't make them again. If we don't know history, it's doomed to repeat itself.

3: Creative Arts - This includes the sub divisions of Graphic Art, Digital Art, Music, Fashion, Film & Television. These are essential for keeping the world a brighter, colorful and altogether happier place. I mean seriously, where in the world would civilization be without the Arts?

4: Cultural Anthropology - This also includes Foreign Language. A more well rounded individual is one that is either well educated and versed in the multiple cultures of our world...or at least is respective of those cultures. Narrow-mindedness to the world around you doesn't get anyone anywhere. And knowing at least one language aside from your own is a very good device.

5: Fundamental Math - Numbers are the building blocks of which our societies are founded. I say 'Fundamental' in terms of our most basic uses of Math in everyday life. Managing Finances, Catalouging Files, etc.

6: Computer Sciences/Communications - In these times, the Computer and all of its uses have become more and more crucial to making your way through the world. Everyone needs to know how to get information, how to manage records, and always strive to perfect our technologies.

7: Physical Education - This, IMO, includes both actual P.E. as well as Biology in terms of the Human Body. So on the one hand we have P.E. to teach us the basics of the human body and the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle of health, exercise and nutrition to stay fit and healthy. And on the other, the aspects of Bioogy can be utilized...such as, how Botany effects Humanity as far as Greenhouse gases and how Flora is needed to provide Oxygen. Or Human Anatomy and Physiology to lend towards Medical practices and maintain optimum efficiency in the body. It could even lend towards educating on the dangers to the body, including toxins, drugs, etc.

8: Psychology - Going along with both Cultural Anthropology and Physical Education, Psychology can be use to better undrstand the concepts of human behavior, a study that we also need very much.

9: Home Economics - This would include things like Hunting/Gathering, Drivers Education and the basic principles of maintaining anything...home/car/possessions...cooking, cleaning, caretaking, etc. Survival skills and also teaching how to not take any of the luxuries you have in life for granted. That final point can also be used in the Psychology portion.

10: Government - As a second portion to History, it's also crucial to know both how our system of government has evolved and ultimately how it works...and also how it hasn't, so future leaders can adapt and imagine new practices to better the political horizons.

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[November Rain]

Wow -- You'd recommend 5 years of self-defense training?

You must have gone to a pretty rough school as a kid.

not necessarily for the defense itself, rather the state of enlightenment it brings with continuous repetitive training.

training regularly frees yourself from wants and desires and you begin to realise what is a necessity in life.

 

[November Rain]

spanish is needed in modern america. and another foreign is for cultural understanding.
a list of languages that could be taken should be:
French
German
Chinese
Arabic
Japanese
Italian
Russian
Hebrew

no african dialect?

why does africa always get neglected in stuff...

 

[Majic Walrus]

spanish is needed in modern america. and another foreign is for cultural understanding.
a list of languages that could be taken should be:
French
German
Chinese
Arabic
Japanese
Italian
Russian
Hebrew

No Latin?

 

[cerealkiller182]

Is there anyone who just speaks Latin anymore? Or someone who learns Latin for any reason other than the language being a traditional subject?

Same for Hebrew I would think. I know its the official language of Israel but as far as worldwide use, isnt primarily used for Jewish tradition?

 

[November Rain]

I learnt latin at primary school although alot of it has left me, i recently found some verbs and useful words in my mom's stuff. I can still conjugate so i might pick it up again to help with my english comprehension.

 

[Matt]

I notice a lot of people saying we should force students to learn a foreign language. Just out of curiousity, why? Chances are none of them will ever be in a position where they need to speak it so why should it be essential that they learn it?

 

[cerealkiller182]

I notice a lot of people saying we should force students to learn a foreign language. Just out of curiousity, why? Chances are none of them will ever be in a position where they need to speak it so why should it be essential that they learn it?

Really?

America isnt exactly the melting pot it always referred itself as. Cultures come here and isolate themselves into their own communities rather than assimiliate.

The economy is slowly becoming a global economy. Business overseas is becoming more and more popular and not just because of outsourcing. Countries are industrializing and making headway. Last i heard, Chinas stock market was on a rise and it has an indirect association with Australia's causing theirs to improve as well. Just an example.

Plus I regret never learning one.

 

[November Rain]

I notice a lot of people saying we should force students to learn a foreign language. Just out of curiousity, why? Chances are none of them will ever be in a position where they need to speak it so why should it be essential that they learn it?

I've always seen an additional language as a passport to go and learn about another culture away from your own.

you are more likely to wish to travel somewhere if you understood the native dialect.

i know most regions of the world speak english now but i feel really intrusive forcing someone to speak english in their native country just out of pure ignorance.

 

[Majic Walrus]

Is there anyone who just speaks Latin anymore? Or someone who learns Latin for any reason other than the language being a traditional subject?

Same for Hebrew I would think. I know its the official language of Israel but as far as worldwide use, isnt primarily used for Jewish tradition?

Learning Latin and Greek would really be more beneficial to study the roots of words and the meanings of words.

I notice a lot of people saying we should force students to learn a foreign language. Just out of curiousity, why? Chances are none of them will ever be in a position where they need to speak it so why should it be essential that they learn it?

I disagree. Ever try and order a cheeseburger in Miami? You almost HAVE to know Spanish.

I would say that within our lifetimes the US will officially adopt Spanish as a second language and the EU will adopt either German or French as a second language to be spoken across borders.

 

[cerealkiller182]

Learning Latin and Greek would really be more beneficial to study the roots of words and the meanings of words.

I understand that, but that seems more elective. I have a dictionary and understand what words mean, but the historical roots of them are not actually beneficial in real life in general. Im sure there is some job position out there that it would come in handy

 

[November Rain]

the roots would be beneficial to a linguist where the words of different languages have a root in latin.

but to the average joe, probably not really necessary.

 

[Carcharodon]

I've figured sciences aren't really intricate for everyone to be aware of. You can get through life without knowing how stuff works as long as other people do.

You know what? You're right. This way, you can have people who HAVE been scientifically trained and educated constantly having to inform everybody else of **** that should be basic knowledge.

You know, like, hypothetically, I'd keep trying to explain to, I don't know, say, Moviefan2k4 that there never was a giant ice canopy 3 feet thick that floated in the upper atmosphere (and never could be), that mountains aren't the result of river debris, and that there are sound reasons and scientific principles behind radiometric dating.

....

:facepalm

Spoiler

That was sarcasm. That idea is ******ed.

 

[November Rain]

you say **** that should be basic knowledge but basic knowledge assumes regular or everyday usage. Most everyday science though people take for granted.

unless in a specific scientific profession, how often do topics of say the differences between an ionic and covelent bond or the varying coefficients of friction or the reproductive organs of a plant come into use?

I mean you've just explained a situation where you've tried explaining a scientific/geographical reasons behind certain phenomena, but as an average joe how does that benefit you in the day to day running of your life. Are you going to be more or less of an asset in your specific job for knowing that?

more often than not, it don't really matter.

 

[Shemtov]

Same for Hebrew I would think. I know its the official language of Israel but as far as worldwide use, isnt primarily used for Jewish tradition?

so that jewish schools can give hebrew and legally not have to teach another language.

 

[XSpidercideX]

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