Comments on: French as she is spoken (but not written) http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/blog/franceprofonde/french-as-she-is-spoken-but-not-written/ Tim King on French politics Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:57:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Sergeant Howie http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/blog/franceprofonde/french-as-she-is-spoken-but-not-written/#comment-28324 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:38:51 +0000 http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/blog/franceprofonde/french-as-she-is-spoken-but-not-written/#comment-28324 I am very suspicious about the accuracy of such reports. One forgets very often that in the ideal days of the 3rd republic, most children did not go to secondary school. What we remember of these days is often what the tiny elite of the time has left. Here is an article (in French, sorry) about a book on the same subject arguing that the democratization of the school has not lowered the bar : http://econo.free.fr/scripts/notes2.php3?codenote=172 I am very suspicious about the accuracy of such reports.

One forgets very often that in the ideal days of the 3rd republic, most children did not go to secondary school.

What we remember of these days is often what the tiny elite of the time has left.

Here is an article (in French, sorry) about a book on the same subject arguing that the democratization of the school has not lowered the bar :

http://econo.free.fr/scripts/notes2.php3?codenote=172

]]> by: marie-france http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/blog/franceprofonde/french-as-she-is-spoken-but-not-written/#comment-28320 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:08:24 +0000 http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/blog/franceprofonde/french-as-she-is-spoken-but-not-written/#comment-28320 Back to compulsory Latin at the age of ten and make maths optional. I don't see how you can see the superlative value of grammar otherwise. Back to compulsory Latin at the age of ten and make maths optional. I don’t see how you can see the superlative value of grammar otherwise.

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