History / Unforgettable quotes about Poland and Poles from Polish and world`s history and culture [99]


I am not going to reply to that highly provocative remark. :):) I will only say that we can`t make up proverbs or quotes which don`t exist yet in the language and history of culture. :)

My answer is a saying by Voltaire, a French writer and philosopher, at the times of first partitions of Poland.

One Pole - full charm. Two Poles - a quarrel. Three Poles - wow, a real Polish issue/problem has begun.

History / Unforgettable quotes about Poland and Poles from Polish and world`s history and culture [99]

Ok, I can be your loyal follower then. I will remind you about things you overlook in this thread. :)

A few proverbs about Poles (roughly translated):

When two Poles meet, they have three different opinions. I hope you understand it`s about Polish propensity to quarreling.

A Pole is wise after the damage - another Polish trait - initial negligence, then crying over the spilt milk,

A Pole can do it - another Polish trait - skilfulness, intiative, resourcefulness

Pole hungry, Pole angry.

Travel / Are Polish people as unfriendly as Slovaks? [84]

OK, you explained it nicely. Now I know what you meant, so sorry for my initial irony. :)

Study / Various education and school issues in Poland. Opinions, stories, controversies. [1006]


Yes, more emphasis is put on written exams than fluent oral communication. But the system has imposed it this way and I am not going to fight it. National schools rankings are arranged according to the results of written exams and subject competitions. Most teachers` goal is to achieve as high results as possible. Of course, I don`t neglect the situational practice because my students have to take the oral exam, too. But it is less important, e..g, universities completely overlook the results of oral exams. Sometimes I get the impression it is automatically assumed that once a student does well in writing, they will also excel in speaking. It is a wrong assumption but as I said, I am not going to go against the current.


Yes, delph, but your example is not about IF, but HOW to test students.

Travel / Are Polish people as unfriendly as Slovaks? [84]


Yes, that`s what I meant - you categorise all your acquaintances into two groups only - friends and enemies. Because strangers are strangers, i.e people you don`t know. That`s why I said it was funny. I hope you understand this logic. :)

History / Unforgettable quotes about Poland and Poles from Polish and world`s history and culture [99]


You forgot to add: one of the fathers. :) Forgetfulness? :)

Language / Game - guess Polish idioms/sayings in direct English translation [1756]

Yes!
The cup of bitterness has overflown

Travel / Are Polish people as unfriendly as Slovaks? [84]

Thank you for spreading anti rightist sentiment. Read my reply in Random. :)

Language / Game - guess Polish idioms/sayings in direct English translation [1756]

Yes!

To pick up the glove.

Travel / Are Polish people as unfriendly as Slovaks? [84]

Do you mean that people who reject nationalism can`t be patriots, or even become traitors to the Polish cause.? :):)

Study / Various education and school issues in Poland. Opinions, stories, controversies. [1006]


Polish junior high school students scored 17th result in PISA test for 2015. Not bad. The UK was 27th while the USA 40th.

In 2016 Poles had 12th position, the UK 24th and the USA 34th.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programme_for_International_Student_Assessment

Genealogy / Which Polish first names are considered unpopular / obsolete in Poland? [124]


I have never heard that Kierjan. What is it?


Some guys are still learning about Poland. Let`s be patient. :)


Yes, indeed. When my female teacher colleagues have had babies in recent years, they always reacted indignantly when I suggested giving them those English names.

Life / Polish women fight for their rights - manifa and other events [306]


The word subservient brings up associations with a servant. I don`t think many modern women in developed countries want to be like that. What is fascinating in being a servant? Nature programmed women to be dependent on males during pregnancy and later on. But does it really require subservience ?


Judging by your posts here, it seems you comprehend masculinity in a very simple way, like the Barbarian in the famous picture. But you know it is a nice projection of the unattainable desire. :):)

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Language / Game - guess Polish idioms/sayings in direct English translation [1756]

I see.

To stick to sth like a drunk man to a fence.

History / Unforgettable quotes about Poland and Poles from Polish and world`s history and culture [99]


Yes, it was probably his vivid imagination (philosopher!) combined with the need to gain more publicity. Whatever. But Niecki is a noble family surname.


I have a little difficulty understanding it properly. Does it mean Poles were great because their enemies were great too?

Genealogy / Which Polish first names are considered unpopular / obsolete in Poland? [124]


Poles hear those names during every Sunday mass. :) And whatever the priest says, it is holy to many Catholics here. :):)
One must be completely ignorant of Polish ways to suggest that Jewish names are obsolete!

Travel / Are Polish people as unfriendly as Slovaks? [84]


Isn`t it funny how nationalists categorise people? Friends, enemies. Nothing between. That is why I will never make friends with a true nationalist, they are so hopelessly narrow minded. :):)

History / Unforgettable quotes about Poland and Poles from Polish and world`s history and culture [99]

Funny, but did you know that Nietzsche, German philosopher, openly denied his German origin and claimed he was Polish? :) I was in two minds whether to mention it in "What do Poles owe to Germans" thread.... :) After all, an additional philosopher might be useful for Polish purposes...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Nietzsche

Nietzsche believed his ancestors were Polish,[105] at least toward the end of his life. He wore a signet ring bearing the Radwan coat of arms, traceable back to Polish nobility of medieval times[106] and the surname "Nicki" of the Polish noble (szlachta) family bearing that coat of arms. Nietzsche wrote in 1888, "My ancestors were Polish noblemen (Nietzky); the type seems to have been well preserved despite three generations of German mothers." He said: "I am a pure-blooded Polish nobleman, without a single drop of bad blood, certainly not German blood."

So once he said "Germany is a great nation only because its people have so much Polish blood in their veins ... I am proud of my Polish descent." :)

Genealogy / Which Polish first names are considered unpopular / obsolete in Poland? [124]


Yes, they are Jewish by origin. So what? None of my students named Szymon or Jakub have ever experienced hostile reactions from their peers because of their first name. So, stop blowing it into a problem that doesn`t really exist. Have you ever thought of consulting anyone about this antisemitic obsession of yours? ):


That`s sad because it means you are becoming infected with obsessions. :)

Travel / Are Polish people as unfriendly as Slovaks? [84]

What is double humour? The same as double talk?

Study / Various education and school issues in Poland. Opinions, stories, controversies. [1006]

So, what about this wonderful tradition which my students just love to hear about that at 5pm every day all the British gather in specially decorated places and they say prayers called God Save the Queen? That is why the Queen always lives and rules so long and happily over the Empire. That`s what I found in the books. Isn`t it true?

Travel / Are Polish people as unfriendly as Slovaks? [84]

No, Milo. I quit pranks and jokes exactly on the day when the Lent began. I have been dead serious since then and will be so till Easter. I am really amazed you have any doubts about it.

Travel / Are Polish people as unfriendly as Slovaks? [84]


That`s obvious, Slovaks just think about having fun in life while Poles are preoccupied with improving the world and its erroneous ways. Simple.

Study / Various education and school issues in Poland. Opinions, stories, controversies. [1006]


Why did you exclude British and Americans from that practical communication? :):) Besides, you know it is impossible to divide students according to their possible language usage style in the future. You are still so idealistically oriented. :)


No, come on, I don`t believe you are serious now. You are pulling my leg to make me eleborate more on it. :)

I don`t know what books you have seen but I can assure you that the ones I use are virtually soaked with British culture and generally British thinking and attitudes. Each day, in each class, we talk about them when doing exercises. Have you seen the post in which I mentioned my fav Advanced Revision Book written by two brilliant British women (whose all books I adore, btw)?

Check the link and scroll a few sample pages
eshop.egis.com.pl/matura-repetytorium-p-rozszerzony-podr-niewieloletni-kod-digibook-id-1574

There is also Basic one. I thought that Holmes and mounted police are typically British. Was I wrong? :)

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Study / Various education and school issues in Poland. Opinions, stories, controversies. [1006]

A dozen posts above I presented how high school final oral exam looks like. I forgot to add it comprises both levels.
Written exams are divided into seperate levels.

Check these files for the final exam of 2017.

Basic/ordinary
cke.edu.pl/images/_EGZAMIN_MATURALNY_OD_2015/Arkusze_egzaminacyjne/2017/formula_od_2015/jezyk_angielski/MJA-P1_1P-172-A.pdf

The last task requires students to write a blog entry

You attended a meeting with a known actor
-Write how you obtained the invitation and who you went with
-Express your opinion about the place where the meeting was held
-Describe the meeting
-Encourage readers to see a film with that actor and explain why it is worth seeing

Advanced
cke.edu.pl/images/_EGZAMIN_MATURALNY_OD_2015/Arkusze_egzaminacyjne/2017/formula_od_2015/jezyk_angielski/MJA-R1_1P-172-A.pdf

The last task offers two topics:
Essay - pros and cons of children`s participation in programmes like talent shows.

Article offering solution to the problem of reckless behaviour in the mountains


Maf and Lyżko, can you take a look at the files above to see if that is still English used and understood by native English speakers or not?

History / Unforgettable quotes about Poland and Poles from Polish and world`s history and culture [99]

Mikołaj Rej is considered a founding father of Polish literature.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miko%C5%82aj_Rej

Mikołaj Rej( 1505- 1569) was a Polish poet and prose writer of the emerging Renaissance in Poland as it succeeded the Middle Ages, as well as a politician and musician. He was the first Polish author to write exclusively in the Polish language, and is considered to be one of the founders of Polish literary language and literature.

His most famous quote is

Let it by all and sundry foreign nations be known
that Poles speak not Anserine* but a tongue of their own.

* goose like

Study / Various education and school issues in Poland. Opinions, stories, controversies. [1006]


Exactly. :) Idealism is a great thing but life is brutal (and full of zasadzkas). :)

Study / Various education and school issues in Poland. Opinions, stories, controversies. [1006]

Of course not. Our textbooks and resources are either imported directly from Great Britain (most) or written by local authors, both native and Polish. Also, one can use online aids which are also British oriented. The fact that a part of English teachers in Europe/Poland possess low competence doesn`t mean we should condemn all.


Yes, that happens in Poland and everywhere in Europe.

But the choice is simple - either you allow such people to teach and students learn faulty English or you ban such lousy teachers and then students learn nothing at all because no one will teach them, e..g, in an armpit village in the outback. Which one is better, what you think?


But it is required, fortunately. :)

Study / Various education and school issues in Poland. Opinions, stories, controversies. [1006]


It can be even worse, ex Biology teachers can also do postgraduate studies and teach English.


Show me a country where all students are provided native speakers as teachers of foreign languages. Additionally, where all students are sent on long and frequent exchanges to native countries to avoid state mediocrity.

Lyżko, I already said it above: stick to reality and cut down on daydreaming.

History / Unforgettable quotes about Poland and Poles from Polish and world`s history and culture [99]


Yes, we do realise you support Dmowski and reject Piłudski. Two coffins tripe rules you, too, my dear. :)


No, rabbies and Zionists at Polonia event are funny and you need to elaborate more because we like such real life comedies. Please, don`t make us wait.

Back to topic.

A runner-up candidate to the Polish poetic Hall of Fame, Juliusz Słowacki, in his bitter poem "Agamemnon`s Grave," 1839, critisizes Poles of the partitions era for indolence, passiveness, cowardice, petty quarrels, stupidity etc.

He also suggests that Poland was a peacock and parrot of nations, and as long as it continues, Poles will never regain independence. Peacock means a propensity for showing off, while parrrot is copying from others.

wolnelektury.pl/katalog/lektura/grob-agamemnona.html