Bundaberg locals have reacted to suggestions to change the name of the ‘English’ subject in schools

What’s in a name? Apparently a fair bit when it comes to the English language subject and a suggestion to banish the word. Here’s how Bundaberg people reacted.

Would “language arts” be a better title for English?

Bundaberg locals are not happy chappies when it comes to suggestions to change the name of the language subject in schools from “English” to something like “language arts”.

“Not only is it political correctness gone mad, it doesn't make sense,” says Mike Kanga.

The NewsMail took to its Facebook page for opinions on the suggested change put forward by an Aussie academic.

“What should be removed is the whole education system and and renew it with real life experience,” Peter Reissmann said.

Mark Wendt was another local who found the suggestion absurd.

“What would we call it? When we learn Italian or Japanese is that not right? English is our language. The world is going mad,” he said.

Lorraine Fraser also objected.

“We speak English, always have,” she said.

“Is this yet another idea to remove Australia’s history?

“Leave well enough alone, we have developed some Aussie slang but (it is) understood in English.”

But for every negative opinion, there is a positive one.

John Mahoney said he saw some sense in the suggestion.

“In a way she is correct,” he said.

“I won’t go into the details as they are quite complex.

“What is taught and has been taught from the start is our language.

“What you call it is immaterial. Children are taught the basis of communication.”

Mr Mahoney said some things were more important than titles.

“Perhaps we can have a competition on what we should call our language subjects,” he said.

“What it is called isn’t really important. The teaching/learning process are important. I really don’t think that the name change would change what is actually taught.”

Mr Mahoney suggestion was to “break it up into its essential parts... speaking, reading, writing”.

“This is a very simple explanation in my humble opinion,” he said.