Found an essay today... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mithalwen · 04-28-2005, 10:58 AM

There is evidence for girls being generally more tuned into language - they tend to pick it up quicker than boys whose motor skills develop a bit quicker.

I did languages at university and women outnumbered men about 10 to 1 - however rather sickenly the guys tended to get the firsts... the proportion may be slightly distorted by the fact that my generation of girls were not particularly encouraged to do science. More recently, when I was teaching I learnt that there is a tendancy for girls to show early promise in languages but the boys (with encouragement ) catch them up in the second year. However by this point the groups are often streamed on Y1 results so the top group is full of girls and thenext one down has a clump of bright boys bright boys who you cannot believe re in the second group. This is the reason that some co-ed schools teach languages in single sex groups inthe early years.

tar-ancalime · 04-28-2005, 11:59 AM

Just wanted to jump in and note that this thread strikes me as being a little mean-spirited. It's not as though the essay writer asked for any editing help, or even waved his/her creation in anyone's face as some kind of gauntlet. What concern is it of ours, really, if not everyone is an accomplished writer? Isn't that what this person's teacher is (ideally) supposed to address? And after all, this essay was abandoned on the floor of the study hall--perhaps it was some kind of rejected first draft? I know that I, for one, would be mortified if I found out that people were mocking me for things I don't happen to be good at.

Elianna · 04-28-2005, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tar-ancalime

Just wanted to jump in and note that this thread strikes me as being a little mean-spirited.

Yeah, I was wondering when someone would say that. So let's turn the conversation:

If your thesis was talking about how The Hobbit transported you to a far away realm, what would you talk about?

04-28-2005, 10:58 AM	#1
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	There is evidence for girls being generally more tuned into language - they tend to pick it up quicker than boys whose motor skills develop a bit quicker. I did languages at university and women outnumbered men about 10 to 1 - however rather sickenly the guys tended to get the firsts... the proportion may be slightly distorted by the fact that my generation of girls were not particularly encouraged to do science. More recently, when I was teaching I learnt that there is a tendancy for girls to show early promise in languages but the boys (with encouragement ) catch them up in the second year. However by this point the groups are often streamed on Y1 results so the top group is full of girls and thenext one down has a clump of bright boys bright boys who you cannot believe re in the second group. This is the reason that some co-ed schools teach languages in single sex groups inthe early years. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

04-28-2005, 11:59 AM	#2
tar-ancalime Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: abaft the beam Posts: 303	Just wanted to jump in and note that this thread strikes me as being a little mean-spirited. It's not as though the essay writer asked for any editing help, or even waved his/her creation in anyone's face as some kind of gauntlet. What concern is it of ours, really, if not everyone is an accomplished writer? Isn't that what this person's teacher is (ideally) supposed to address? And after all, this essay was abandoned on the floor of the study hall--perhaps it was some kind of rejected first draft? I know that I, for one, would be mortified if I found out that people were mocking me for things I don't happen to be good at. __________________ Having fun wolfing it to the bitter end, I see, gaur-ancalime (lmp, ww13)