Should Slang be Banned in Schools?

Students will have to hold their tongues from now on at the Harris Academy in Upper Norwood after the introduction of a new anti-slang initiative in September this year. The south London secondary school has banned the use of 10 slang phrases in so-called ‘formal language zones’ including classrooms and corridors. The school’s principal Chris Everitt hoped the initiative would raise awareness about the use of language and better prepare students for formal situations in later life such as job interviews. Among the forbidden words are "innit", "bare", "like", "extra" "aint" and “coz” which are deemed unsuitable for use in school. The heinous practice of beginning sentences with "basically" or ending them with "yeah" has also been outlawed. The severity of the punishment for transgressing these rules is unclear, though I can’t help thinking that detentions would be heavily oversubscribed were they to enforce it too harshly.  

Critics fear the initiative may alienate the very youngsters they are hoping to help, slang often being associated with those from working-class backgrounds or ethnic minorities. Darren Chetty, founder of the Power to the Pupils hip-hop education project argues that "Banning [the words] makes a very strong value judgment to pupils and it has an effect on the pupils who use that language.” "It situates the school as a middle-class place." Rather than inspiring them, there is a very real danger that a negative initiative like this could demotivate pupils even further.

What do you think of this initiative? Does banning slang impinge on people’s freedom of speech? What slang words would you ban given the chance?

Source: The Guardian Online

Foul Play by Oxford University - Local Oxford News

The Oxford Green Belt was established many years ago to protect the setting of the dreaming spires of Oxford, both looking in and out of Oxford.Its objective is to mark and protect the green areas of Oxford and the surrounding county by preventing it being built upon.

Port Meadow is a beautiful stretch of grassland, to the north and west of Oxford, through which the river Thames passes. This meadow is, of course, part of Oxford's Green Belt area. 

Early last year, Oxford University (rather embarrassingly) managed to obtain permission from the Oxford City Council to build high blocks of student housing right next to the meadow. While the housing was not built on the meadow itself, it has completely ruined the skyline. Before the meadow looked onto beautiful views of Oxford's dreaming spires, and now the views have been severely damaged by these ugly student digs.


Since and during the construction of these buildings, local residents, old and current, along with tourists who have grown to love and appreciate Oxford's beauty have been deeply upset by the situation. Various campaigns have taken place, including an online petition that has accumulated over 2200 signatures in an attempt to have the University take these buildings down.

Last week protesters seized the moment when Prince Charles visited the Said Business School to hand him a letter asking for his support. One can only hope that with mounting pressure from the public the University of Oxford will come to their senses, realise their mistake and take down these ghastly buildings.