State your opinions please…
I have heard that having high grades in English classes (even Ap English) just mean that an individual knows English. Is it true? Apparently my mother’s friend has said that to her and my mother refuses to believe that there’s actually a category of “gifted English”. I am actually doubting his statement mainly because my ap teacher had actually told me that I was gifted.
Hello, fellow fruitnumbernumbernumbernumber! I don’t think what they’re saying is true at all. One can speak English fluently and still lack eloquence and style. Usually when somebody says you’re gifted in English, it means your writing or speaking is not only grammatically correct, but pleasant to read or listen to. Or perhaps it is the profoundness in your essays your teacher likes, which has nothing to do with either grammatical correctness or flow of words.
I definitely agree. I suppose there are two types of “gifted” English student: an English-language learner who easily picks up on the grammar and subtleties of the language, and a student (learner or native) who writes deeply has good style. Just think of your own language; a student who is “gifted” in your native language might be someone who has a pleasant style, or who writes like a professional with less training than is usually needed.
My AP English teacher last year said I was gifted as well, yet I never received a passing grade on any of my in class timed writings the entire year. Keep in mind, I’m not only a member of the writing team she coaches, but I got a 5 on the AP exam. Those who received higher marks than I did-almost perfect marks-were definitely better writers than I was, and definitely used language as a tool more effectively than I could. I think that there’s a certain level of understanding and taming the monster that is the English language that only a few people are capable of. Maybe there’s just different levels of “gifted.”
No, there’s definitely a difference between simply knowing English and being able to analyze or write beautiful English yourself. There are lots of people who can speak and read English just fine but wouldn’t do well on the AP English language exams - or even the GRE - or wouldn’t be great at writing a term paper.
Higher level English classes are definitely more focused on actual writing skill (style, vocabulary, ability to incorporate germane outside knowledge into essays, etc.) and ability to analyze and comprehend texts. I have been a gifted writer since I was very young, yet lack a strong foundation in grammar as evidenced by my writing sub-section scores on the SAT. I can get a 12 on the essay portion and still end up with like a 670, which is by far my lowest sub-section score. However, it’s probably because unwillingness to study and learn the grammatical rules though 
However, English is far easier to bs an get a good grade than other classes.
Actually, because grading of English papers is more or less subjective, I would have to disagree with @snowfairy137 . In math and other exact sciences, there is a concrete correct answer, whereas in English, two people might disagree.
Although yes, BSing is easier.
I feel like you’re asking 2 different questions here. The first part doesn’t make sense. Having high grades in English just means you know english? Well everyone in high school knows english but not everyone gets high grades. Could you clarify what you mean? That’s why I feel that people are answering “yes” and “no” but their explanations are all the same. As for the second part, of course you can be gifted in English. English isn’t just about knowing the language, it’s also about COMPREHENSION and COMPOSITION.
@mango6986 the thing is, there are supposed to be different opinions, but the teachers try and make it so there’s only one right answer, and that’s why English classes are dumb. You tell the teacher what they want to hear regardless of you’re opinion.
Of course when it comes to grammar there is only one correct answer, such as in the above quote where “your” should have been used instead of “you’re”.
And this is coming from someone who’s been “gifted” in terms of having a really high reading level, being able to write (not creative writing though), and begin a grammar wiz. However, I’m better at and enjoy STEM more so idk.
Someone informed me that anyone can earn a high A in English, so I was just asking for opinions in that comment.
@snowfairy137 I see where you’re coming from. I’ve definitely had teachers like that, both in English and all those other classes you need to write essays for. My English teacher now is really good, though and generally pretty receptive. I got lucky.
@kiwi1422 sorry about the off-topicness.
It’s fine! I completely agree with your comments.