Children are being taught to 'speak better'

In the news yesterday was an article about school children learning to speak properly. As usual there were plenty of postings on the Telegraph - and particularly the Daily Mail websites, criticising parents, the Government and teachers. One post actually said that 'Most teachers were illiterate' (could I see the figures to prove this statement...)
There is a need to address the problem of children's lack of positive communication skills - and also that of society as a whole. One could argue that this ought to be the parents' responsibility, but since this is such a problem, they are clearly not doing this, so there needs to be a strategy for improving these skills.
By poor speech, I DO NOT mean regional accents - or indeed certain Public School accents that are incomprehensible, but speaking where grammatically the language is WRONG, and also the use of slang and phrases like "Oh - My - God" - which personally I find offensive and sloppy. There is a way to speak and communicate with your friends and peers: another when you are at work.

To me there are a couple of crucial points about current communication styles. One is that there are many more people who are 'voices' in the media, who have poor communication skills: in particular grammar and pronunciation. Celebrities, footballers etc. This gives the appearance of 'being the norm', when in fact they are dreadful. These people are role models for a lot of children and of course they mimic and believe this is totally acceptable. Not only are their speaking styles sloppy, but they use poor English.
Also, it is important for young people - everyone infact, to be able to recognise what type of speech is appropriate for different situations. I delivered some training to a company where the lovely employees were 'over friendly' and 'familiar' with their use of speech with clients. Clients were being put off by this. When the employees realised that there is an appropriate language style for clients and a different one for friends, the communication effectiveness in the office increased.
Rather like we wear work and 'home' clothes, we should adopt 'work' and 'home' speech.
Here is the article>
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/primaryeducation/5227625/Children-to-be-taught-how-to-speak-properly.html

Read more from Executive Voice http://www.executivevoice.co.uk

Is speech a class issue

Last week I read the article pasted below.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/jemima-lewis/5067157/A-childs-speech-is-still-a-class-issue.html

To summarise, the writer concerned had an 'RP' accent and this was regularly commented on by taxi drivers. "You're well educated Madam" etc. Her argument was that she wasn't well educated but because of her accent, other people felt she was more intelligent, and for children it could be a huge advantage in the workplace/interviews if you had an RP accent.

Yesterday I was at an FSB meeting, and I had a conversation with the chairman, Robin about this very same topic - but also to include more general communication like TEXT messages, phone calls, emails and letters. Robin has run a successful business for over 20 years and his opinion, in my opinion, is a valid one. He goes out of his way to ensure all of his Text messages have complete words with correct spellings and punctuation: ditto emails. He expects this from his staff when they communciate with clients and that they take particular care with their speech to ensure it is clear, with a lack of slang and 'lazy' speech.

What is Robin like? Robin is a hard working MD, who speaks with a Southern accent NOT an 'RP' accent. He is articulate and also listens to people when you are conversing. He values good manners: clear speech: clear communication and writing because it matters.

For some Telegraph readers, and might I say some products and parents of children at private schools, it can be an easy trap to fall into: that of thinking that a 'Public School' accent can open doors. Undoubtedly a clear accent is a positive, and if you have something intelligent to say - even better! But there are some 'Public School' accents as incomprehensible as the Brummie accent!

It is also worthwhile considering that an RP or Public School accent is ridiculed in some areas of UK (notably The North) and softening the accent is a good move!

My advice would be as follows:
Speak clearly, ensuring you are not lazy with ends of words.
Make sure you are grammatically correct. The wonderful Hertfordshire "I brang" wins no prizes for creating a good impression.
Be aware of when TEXT speak is appropriate, and when not. As a general rule, TEXT speak is fine for your friends but not colleagues, bosses and clients.
Although emails are shorter, don't be fooled into thinking that standards in English are lower: still be grammatically correct and only use 'slang' words when the other person has used them first. Of course this is for work related emails - for your friends it is different.

Get more tips from www.executivevoice.co.uk