The Gift of Tongues.
BEagle,
Willkommen !
I'm aghast at the work-load imposed on you in your formative years (you poor lttle sod !)
But what should not go unnoticed is your age when you had the "sudden death" "O" Level GCE exams to contend with - 14.
When, in the intervening years, did 14 become 16, and why ? I got my "Matric" at 14 and a HSC at 16, and that was the norm in those days. Now it's 16 and 18 for the equivalents (and I'm not at all sure about that, judging by results). Where did the two years go ?
I fully agree with your recollection of the utterly impractical way in which languages were taught in our schools in my - and your - times. I could then discourse learnedly on Molière, Racine and Corneille. But ask my way to the Post Office ? - No chance !
Auf wiederhören !... Danny.