[etni] [FWD: Re: the purposeof teaching English]

 -------- Original Message --------
From: Motty <motty24@xxxxxxx>
 
I see the purpose of teaching English as affording our students  the
ability to use it in real life. This includes travel, (backpacking
around the world,University studies-dealing with intricate and boring
texts in English , surfing the web, talking to tourists , being fluent
enough to be understood in business meetings etc.) Whether you are
preparing a 3,4, or 5point class the ultimate goal should be for them
to be able to use and understand English when they have to. As far as
literature goes, in my opinion, that is a different course altogether.
Frequently, to my consternation, texts I've brought in in english have
been already taught in Hebrew-I.E. Catcher in The Rye,  Etc. etc. etc.
as well as many short stories. If English literature is to be taught as
literature then don't let the "safrut " teachers steal our texts. I
generally see language instruction as my goal and literature as a tool
and let the Literature teachers teach Literature as a separate subject.
(English Language literature is so vast , spanning the gap of hundreds
of years and 5 continents that to presume by teaching "english
literature " you are teaching its culture brings up the question "which
culture?" Brit, Us. Australian, (yes ,I assume they can write books Down
under) South African, Indian , Canadian , Jamaican And so on. Teaching a
play, a novel and several short stories can teach about a very specific
culture of a very specific period, but what 'Culture' is everyone
talking about?


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