Autzoo.1497
net.general
utzoo!henry
Tue Mar 23 23:20:20 1982
grammar
A quick comment on the problem of poor English communication:  don't
assume that forcing people to take more English courses is a solution.
Most English courses are 80%+ literature.  Reading Shakespeare may have
some relevance to teaching people how to communicate effectively, but
not an awful lot and it's rather indirect.  The biggest reason why
English courses, even in places where the split is supposed to be 50-50,
are heavy on literature and light on composition is very simple:  it's
easier on the teachers.  Teaching composition is hard;  intelligent
marking of composition assignments is quite hard.  If you want people
taught how to communicate, force them to take a course that is dedi-
cated to that topic ONLY.  This is particularly important if the
courses are being given by another organization (say, the English
department) over which you have no direct control.

P.S.:  Do not assume that English teachers know how to communicate
effectively:  THEY are often literature specialists.  Be particularly
suspicious of those who get the booby-prize job of teaching the first-
year courses, especially the "service" courses given for the other
departments.