[Hermann the Cherusker]

I'm not putting down English and History. I think they are quite important.

But the manner of teaching them leaves MUCH to be desired. I find that most students don't learn grammar until they take a foreign language. And most students know zilch about history. You will learn far more history by reading good books on your own than you will in a history class at most schools.

Too much time is spent pondering and essaying on the meaning of gender, racism, homelessness, poverty, etc., etc.

[Torie]

Yes, some subjects are highly degraded. My college educated nephew (smart guy), didn't have a clue where Singapore was. I told him it was the tip of the Malay peninsula. Did my nephew know where that was I inquired? I think it is near Korea he guessed. That exchange revealed his profound ignorance about so much - geography, history, culture, and the natural and physical sciences.

Good grammar comes from reading I think, lots of reading. That is the only way to develop an ear for the language, and what sounds right, and what does not. Rules of grammar help, but without the ear, I don't think one can write effectively.