I used to teach
By Jenaisle
@Jenaisle (16568)
Philippines
June 2, 2023 4:43am CST
I used to belong to the academe where I taught Clinical Chemistry, Physiology, and other health subjects to college students.
Many curricula of schools for freshmen students included Algebra and Spanish. I didn't see any relevance of these subjects to my course. Do I need Math, yes, but Algebra? Not necessarily.
I think the subjects: Personal Finance, Sustainable Living, and Mental Health are more appropriate.
Up to this time, I haven't used my knowledge of Algebra and Spanish in any of my professional endeavors.
I'm wondering why schools still include them in courses that have nothing to do with these two subjects. It would have been better if they taught, "how to succeed in your profession or in life, or a subject that the students could utilize later on in their professions.
Did you also have Algebra and Spanish as subjects? Did you have any subjects in school that were not useful for you in your profession?
18 people like this
20 responses
@LadyDuck (502208)
• Italy
2 Jun 23
Of course we had Algebra and I needed it so many times, it's important being Stock Brokers.
I studied Spanish but it was after I graduated, almost no one in Italy picked up Spanish in School. Most students opted for English. Subjects not useful in my professions? History, Art and Poetry.
4 people like this
@yoalldudes (35030)
• Philippines
2 Jun 23
It's okay though that they are not useful in profession but universities want us to develop into wholistic persons. IT somehow enhanced our lives.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (502208)
• Italy
2 Jun 23
@yoalldudes I did not dislike history, but I found so stupid to oblige students to remember the dates of the battles... who cares after all?
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117206)
• El Paso, Texas
2 Jun 23
Both of those subjects were available as electives and you are correct, I have never acutally found a use for algebra and the Spanish they taught in our school would only be useful if we were to go to Spain, Mexico speaks a different kind of Spanish so that would probably have been confusing for me at least.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117206)
• El Paso, Texas
3 Jun 23
Hey, I actually know just a little bit more: Yo quero mucho denero (I probably did not spell that correctly) which means I want a lot of money is just one of the 4 or maybe 5 phrases I have learned in the 60 years I have lived in this bordertown.
1 person likes this
@almostoveryou (4954)
• Philippines
3 Jun 23
I took Algebra in elementary, high school and college. I enjoyed it the most in college even though I couldn't see how I might use it in daily life and in my profession. But who would've thought that I'd become a homeschooling mother? It's a good thing that I wasn't averse to Algebra, so I had a bit of fun teaching my daughters math.
As for Spanish, i personally think that learning a foreign language is essential. I learned Spanish and Nihonggo in high school. They were required courses. I got nowhere near oral fluency, esp in Nihonggo. But it's helpful when you travel or when you need to teach your children too.
1 person likes this
@Jenaisle (16568)
• Philippines
3 Jun 23
@almostoveryou Oh, really, you're a K drama fanatic too. It's great to meet you. What are you watching now? I'm watching 5 series and I can't wait for the next episodes of the others.
1. Apple of my Eye
2. Meant to Be
3. Woman in a Veil
4. My Perfect Stranger
5. Doctor Cha
6. Bad Good Mother.
7. The Real
They are all good. BTW, is Duolingo free? I do understand a few sentences because I have been watching K-dramas for two years now. Anneonghaseyo!
1 person likes this
@almostoveryou (4954)
• Philippines
3 Jun 23
@Jenaisle I'm learning hanggul now via Duolingo. LOL. I need to keep up with my k drama obsession.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (59987)
• Philippines
5 Jun 23
If they are irrelevant, you shouldn't take them. That's solved the problem. Isn't it? But if they're part of the curriculum for your course, you have to take them.
1 person likes this
@Jenaisle (16568)
• Philippines
5 Jun 23
@Nakitakona Yes, and they're mandatory, not electives.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (59987)
• Philippines
5 Jun 23
@Jenaisle That's prerequisites as we call it here.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (120592)
• United States
2 Jun 23
While I never used Algebra when I left school, I would strongly urge schools to keep it in the curriculum as in reality there are professions that use it; just not as many as they make you think in school.
As for Spanish, if you live in the United States, knowing Spanish is a widely sought after skill with employers. It is the second most spoken language in America, and it is very handy to know. The most useless subject in school that I took was every science course I was required to take. I understand why it was required, and I don't regret having the knowledge, but it has never been useful to me in any aspect of life, including any job I ever held.
As for Spanish, if you live in the United States, knowing Spanish is a widely sought after skill with employers. It is the second most spoken language in America, and it is very handy to know. The most useless subject in school that I took was every science course I was required to take. I understand why it was required, and I don't regret having the knowledge, but it has never been useful to me in any aspect of life, including any job I ever held.1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (120592)
• United States
3 Jun 23
@Jenaisle I took Statistics in college, and that was more helpful to me than Algebra, so I would understand how advanced math would be better for you. You might be on to something though; select a math course more in line with your intended vocation...I understand SOME Algebra would have to be taught because that's the way it is, but still...
Thank you, I'm doing okay.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135601)
• Marion, Ohio
2 Jun 23
I had algebra but no foreign language. But over the years I think they have changed it
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
2 Jun 23
Geometry is something I never used. Spanish would be useful. There are a lot of Spanish speaking people in our country. I think they should teach Budgeting 101 in schools. I took Algebra in junior high. I never used it. Have a great weekend.
1 person likes this
@Butterfingers (66603)
• India
2 Jun 23
I think there were many subjects that are not of any use in life
1 person likes this
@happylearner (1569)
• Indonesia
2 Jun 23
I had algebra but not about Spanish. In my senior high school, I used to have Japanese and English.
I think not all subjects are used directly in terms of our profession, but the logics and thinking frame we got when we learn them is what we use.
1 person likes this
@happylearner (1569)
• Indonesia
2 Jun 23
@Jenaisle I aggree.
There's a lot of topics we need to face the reality of life..
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (40952)
• Philippines
2 Jun 23
The ability to think logically is a skill that algebra helps you develop. Yet, unless you want to go to and reside in a Spanish-speaking country, learning Spanish doesn't seem to be all that significant. Although being able to speak and understand it might also help you understand where some of our words come from.
1 person likes this
@Jenaisle (16568)
• Philippines
2 Jun 23
I would prefer advanced math instead of algebra. I have nothing really against the subject, in fact, it's one of my favorite subjects together with English, but when I find students struggling with it and even becoming depressed because of it. I question its practical use.
@snowy22315 (208776)
• United States
2 Jun 23
Spanish is good to take as there are so many Spanish speakers in the world. Not everyone needs Algebra, but for those that do, it is good to have had it.
1 person likes this
@sjvg1976 (42727)
• Delhi, India
2 Jun 23
We didn't have Spanish as a language in schools but had French as an optional subject. I asked my kids to opt for it but they didn't as they found it difficult to learn when no one at home knows it. I didn't compel them for it.
As a student, I was good at maths, algebra was my favorite topic. Still, I teach my kids and want them to score 100% in it.
1 person likes this
@Jenaisle (16568)
• Philippines
2 Jun 23
Congrats! I love Math and Algebra too in fact, they were my highest grades in college. It's quite easy because all you need to do is understand the problem. However, I pity the kids who had a hard time understanding it, especially if their teacher is not good at imparting his knowledge.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238277)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Jun 23
I cannot think of any subjects that were not useful to me in my various "professions." I use math and physics all the time in my speaker restoration projects, and (math) when I do data analysis for research projects. I speak French with two of my co-workers at the flaky daycare. Various poets and writers have influenced my songwriting and short stories, even though I was not a good English student. Of course I use psychology in my work with children and families. I would say all subjects are important if we pay attention.
1 person likes this
@yoalldudes (35030)
• Philippines
2 Jun 23
I can use algebra in Accounting the basic equations at least. I cant think of anything that is not useful except I wish MS Office applications should have been subjects for us.
1 person likes this
