More training in use of English?

Press, 13 May 1987, Page 28

More training in use of English?

PA Wellington The Minister of Education, Mr Marshall, will ask his department to investigate whether students likely to enter careers involving writing should get more training in the precise use of English. Commenting on news that Auckland University’s law school is sending all its students to remedial English classes because they lacked writing skills, he said there was no evidence to suggest standards were lower now than previously. “I have checked with the department, and there is no evidence one way or the other” he said. Even among academics

there was disagreement. The dean of Victoria University’s law school, Professor John Prebble, said standards were no lower than they were 20 years ago. Mr Marshall said the greater emphasis on creativity in teaching English today suited a much .broader range of students than the formal approach. But it needed to be asked if greater attention to the precise use of language should be paid by secondary school students taking up careers where they would need that skill. He would ask his officials to investigate the matter.