Moan, Moan, Moan - 2012

[ashley]

When I retired a detectable pulse was deemed sufficient as an entrance requirement for most science degrees.

Now it's optional Gerry

[Anthony Darby]

He's chosen physics and chemistry. They are raising the entrance requirements for NZ universities http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/news/quals-review-guidelines-update-2/

[Lesley Cox]

Are modern languages other than English not part of the core curriculum

New Zealand being the insular and (*I've momentarily lost the other word I want) it is, modern languages are NOT usually part of the core curriculum. One can, at some schools and all universities do French, German, Spanish and the larger Asian languages, as well, of course as Maori, but core curriculum? not really.
*If I were talking about rugby I'd say one-eyed, but it's not quite what I mean here.)

[fermi de Sousa]

New Zealand being the insular and (*I've momentarily lost the other word I want) it is, modern languages are NOT usually part of the core curriculum. One can, at some schools and all universities do French, German, Spanish and the larger Asian languages, as well, of course as Maori, but core curriculum? not really.
*If I were talking about rugby I'd say one-eyed, but it's not quite what I mean here.)

* parochial?

[Anthony Darby]

My two have taken French in the past and now Lucy is taking a semester of Japanese and enjoying it. She's not sure if she'll take Japanese or Spanish next year, but in Scotland and New Zealand a modern language is not compulsory for the senior curriculum - from year 11 (of 13) in NZ and from S3 (i.e. S3 - 6) in Scotland. I think secondary school is too late to teach a modern language. It was pioneered in Scotland many years ago when modern language teachers (when they were required to actually be able to speak the language) were seconded to a small group of primaries to teach French or German. It was a great success, so it was wheeled out over the whole country. A few primary teachers (volunteers - a couple per school?) were given 6 weeks training and asked to teach one or t'other, depending on the whim of the head teacher or associated secondary school. Needless to say it failed as the teachers were ill equipped to teach it! At least in our local school most of the language teachers are either native speakers.

Back to James. We note that some Universities prefer physics for medicine over biology. Looking at the NCEA NZ year 12 and 13 courses I can see why: behaviour, genetics and evolution. No physiology what so ever! One thing the NCEA courses do is teach kids to discuss and evaluate. None of the rote learning and regurgitating of facts...and no, James is not considering medicine.

This shows how the school is advertised to international students. Lucy is playing her violin in the orchestra clip:

[Lesley Cox]

* parochial?

That's the one. Thanks Fermi.

Since we're moaning here, I bought a laptop computer yesterday, a Toshiba, and various software and security which I had the shop load on for me. I thought I was good to go, but not. Don't know how to connect to the r...y Internet, can't work the touch pad and a dozen other things. Followed the very sparse instructions on paper to connect this to that then turn on and immediately got a message saying not to turn of until setup completed. Result is it is still not turned off 18 hours later and I'm having to get someone come to the house to instruct me in basic use of a laptop as distinct from a PC.

[Lesley Cox]

Re your post immediately above Anthony. I still have some French - and with a classic Parisian accent -  because so many years ago I was taught at high school by a New Zealander, but who had lived many years in France, especially Paris and spoke that language as easily as she did English. It was the class I enjoyed most because it was all about France and life there as well as the language itself. I've remembered enough to confound our coffee maker and the couple who serve crepes at the market, all Frenchmen.

[maggiepie]

Lesley, I would recommend you getting a USB mini mouse for the laptop, I think you might find it easier to use.
The only way I could use a laptop is with a mouse and ergo keyboard plugged in.

[Lesley Cox]

Roger's actually away getting one right now! and in the interim I have discovered that I should only be using the tip of one finger, not a bunch of two or three fingers at a time. I've no doubt it will all come right in a while. It's a bit like when the original Forum went and we had to get used to the new one. I was practically in tears before I had that sorted. I'm very close to heading for a certain not quite hidden cake of chocolate I know is in the cupboard.

[Anthony Darby]

Lesley, that's how French, or any modern language, should be taught, so you can immerse yourself in the language and culture. Michaela was distraught when she left last term to go back to Germany, having been here for a year.

[TC]

Post made in wrong topic !!

[Anthony Darby]

At least with the French we learned it means we can pronounce French words, like Garnier and Point Chevalier etc. correctly.

[fermi de Sousa]

Here's a lovely head of flower buds on a Fritillaria persica.


So why is it in this Thread?
Because it's no longer attached to the stem!


Thanks to those feathered delinquents the sulphur-crested cockatoos!
Other damage on a dianthus mat,


Armeria caespitosa/juniperifolia(?)


And a once healthy Onco!


Makes one think of resorting to caging the entire garden!
cheers
fermi

[Maggi Young]

Horrible damage, fermi, quite distressing to see. Are those cats of yours just lying about sleeping all the time? Should they not  be patrolling the policies to chase off these feathered vandals?

[Paul T]

 

Oh Fermi!!  That must be heartbreaking.   Does it usually flower for you?  Not a first flowering I hope?  I have fingers crossed that I may finally get a persica seedling big enough to flower next year...... maybe.