AS one who, at times, finds it necessary to reach for the dictionary, I am relieved I went to an ‘old-time’ school, where teachers were feared and respected.

When I hear the usage of the English language on TV I shudder at times.

“I ain’t don’t nothing” (one example), meaning “I haven’t done anything”, I presume.

The words ‘learn and teach’ were drilled into us. We learn, they teach. As for text messages etc, I do not own a laptop, even my mobile phones lay unused (mainly). But I shudder to think what the younger generation make of some of our words. The meaning of some escapes even me nowadays.

Mrs Anne Chelton, Foss Islands Road, York.