Which subject do you think is the most underrated and why?
4 answers from our tutors
Listening is the most underrated and under-taught subject. This is why. English is not a phonetic language, nor is it as easy as many assume it to be. There is no way on earth that English pronunciation can be gleaned from its written form, as can be seen by the following commonly used words: cough, though, through, thought, thorough, rough, high, low, how, laugh; the list is endless! You have to listen to the exact sounds of the words to be able to say them properly. There are two types of grammar in English, Prescriptive grammar, which is used for written English, and is taught in almost every traditional English lesson, and descriptive grammar. Descriptive grammar is completely ignored, and as a result students find spoken English extremely difficult. The only way to learn descriptive grammar is by listening. Listening is vital to learn English, but nobody listens. Like what you have read? Why not book a lesson.
I think history is one of the most underrated subjects. People often overlook its relevance, but understanding history helps us learn from past mistakes, recognize patterns, and appreciate how societies and cultures evolve. It's not just about dates and events—it's about connecting the dots between the past and present, which can guide better decision-making in the future.
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I completely agree with the other person that answered phonetics, I feel this is a very important subject and it is extremely beneficial for students to know as it helps greatly with their pronunciation.
Definitely phonetics and phonology! People don't take the time to really slow down and listen to order to practice the sounds.
