freedomdwarf1
Posts: 6845
Joined: 10/23/2012 Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: shiftyw And I'd argue teaching them excel, money handling skills, interview skills, word processing skills, how to use an email client, or html or website building, drafting, editing skills would be tremendously more important. I can't tell you if I got any jobs because of cursive, but I can tell you I got jobs because of my words per minute, cash handling skills and for sure my excel skill set. Teach him how to type a resume or job application that presents that and how to present that upon interview and he will land that job. Those are skills which would be specific to a particular type of job. Cursive and grammar skills are universal and can land you a job without those other skills. Money handling I learned at school and from my parents. Same with interview skills. As for using any type of software, be that word processing, drafting or editing skills etc comes with perseverance and practice. But more importantly, being able to read the manual and help files when necessary - which requires a knowledge of grammar and a half-decent knowledge of the language. I have used HTML and built my own website (many years ago now) but I wouldn't consider that an essential skill unless you are pursuing a career in that domain. Strangely, I have never found a use for Excel and still can't find a sensible use for it. What I can say is that a decent CV (Resume) and a properly filled-in job application (in cursive) has gotten me into jobs where I have had no other skills to offer the employer. What's more, I have gotten those jobs in preference to some of the other applicants I have known personally and who were more qualified than I to fill the position. I was cheeky at one induction and asked why I was the one that got the job and the answer was simple: I filled in the application form correctly, neatly, and accurately. The CV didn't actually count for much other than to show I had been educated beyond basic schooling; my cursive writing style, my grammar and my spelling got me the job - as a programmer where English and grammar count for nowt!! Both my kids have done a full 3-year course in IT and I still know more than they do because the schools only teach just enough to get a pass mark in the exam. And what's more, when I questioned the teachers at the PTA meetings at the end of each term, they know less than I do too.... and they are teaching the kids??? Eeeek!! I agree that cursive is probably of less importance these days because of the technical revolution where everything is typed and printed; but it is still extremely relevant. ETA: I wholly applaud Maria for persevering with what is obviously a tormenting problem. My son is dyslexic or maybe dyspraxic, so I know the sort of hell he went through at school. I know he is intelligent and had to be the supportive parent all through his schooling. I know it's a nightmare. Kudos to you.
< Message edited by freedomdwarf1 -- 11/26/2014 7:48:10 AM >
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“If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” George Orwell, 1903-1950
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