English literature GCSE

I took and failed O level English Literature, simply because I didn’t put the work in, to prepare for the examination. It  does help to have done more than skim read the set books!? I had read a number trashy paperback novels full of sex and violence, that I won’t name now. In fact my English Teacher, myself and a friend , were interviewed on Radio 4 after he had spoken at an educational conference about how young people devoured material aligned to their interests, but hated Shakespeare etc. I also loved Crown Court https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_Court_(TV_series)  which I watched when I went “home for lunch” and probably learned a lot from it.  Perhaps spurred by some remorse for my 16 year old self, I later became quite “bookish” at times.


The nature of my role in recent years means that I have seen a great many pieces of written work by Engineers applying for Professional Registration.  Eloquence of expression is clearly an advantage gained by many of those with an advantaged academic preparation, although it can be developed in other ways. The profession tends to communicate a message that engineering is all about maths and some elements obviously are. However, to exercise leadership you have to influence, by describing, evaluating, recommending and persuading. There are hardly ever simple black and white answers to more complex challenges. 

I would therefore strongly recommend the study of “storytelling” as a something valuable for engineers looking towards leadership. As a purely personal feeling, I also think that it is easy to slip “over the line” into intellectual pretentiousness through the use of language intended to impress rather than inform, but that is in the eye of the beholder.  Examples might include references to classics, Latin etc, which are primarily the realm of those privately educated or specialised academic language. The IET has some Journalists , perhaps one of them would like to comment?  I obviously lack their key skill of succinctness; or is that the editors? “Brevity is the soul of wit”! – actually it was Macbeth that I neglected not Hamlet?                

I did Pure English Literature at A level and I can confidently say that yes it has enriched my life. ? I absolutely loved studying Shakespeare and love watching his plays be they in a theatre or on TV.   See 45 Everyday Phrases Coined by Shakespeare to understand his influence on the English language. 


Studying literature isn't just about, and I quote "reading stories". It's much more than that.  It goes hand in hand and compliments basic English Language studies in that it helps with reading, spelling and writing skills. It also helps with analytical skills "Why did the author use that specific word?" "What is the author trying to say here?"  


I would say that obviously studying literature isn't necessary if you're looking for a career in Engineering but it does help in your overall career as a well rounded human being... ?

In a survey of parents, asking what the most useless and pointless secondary school subject is (not the one that they were worst at or hated the most), English literature was a clear first. Nobody picked English language or ICT.

Well, the basics of survival doesn't require anything but the ability to hunt, make tools,  keep warm, shelter build and procreate, the rest is surplurflous, but then what about enrichment, love and the joy of life?


Legh

English Literature ought to be used to encourage reading for pleasure and reading a varied range of genres... I suspect it doesn't.


You could expand and say that the humanities and the arts have no benefit either, but I would argue they benefit the society at large (image that there were no art galleries, no music, no libraries).


I'm not sure about food tech not being relevant.  I've met engineers who design the process equipment used on modern food manufacturing lines.

I can see English Language being important.  A large part of "engineering" seems to be writing documents.  I'm not sure about Eng. Lit. though.


I expect they are all doing Welsh Literature in Wales these days.