[etni] Fw: Re: Native Speaking classes

From: "sbshai" <sbshai@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:02:33 +0200
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "sbshai" <sbshai@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <talirebibo@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, 26 January, 2012 11:56 AM
Subject: Re: [etni] Re: Native Speaking classes


> Hi Tali & ETNI readers,
>
> How sad that you've had to suffer through poorly planned (or perhaps 
> unplanned) lessons, but has this experience been limited to native speaker 
> classes?  Throughout my many years of involvement in teaching, both here 
> and abroad, I've observed weakly designed lessons for ESL students as 
> well.
>
> The answer to your question is: of couse there are several ways to teach 
> literature creatively and effectively to native (and non-native) speakers, 
> even to reluctant readers!
> A general principle that's taught in methodology courses is to make the 
> literature accessible to your students. This does NOT mean "dumbing it 
> down", which is demeaning ; rather, start by choosing literature that can 
> "talk to" your class by generating  discussion (about the central conflict 
> / dilemma, theme, etc.). You may even be surprised at how much YOU can 
> learn this way! (BTW, the teacher's role is to be a moderator , NOT a 
> lecturer.)
>
> Try to find a school whose English staff takes teaching native speakers 
> seriously.  (Ask people whose opinion you respect.) Unfortunately, 
> teaching speakers is too often considered a job of secondary importance 
> since "they already know how to talk"!  We tend to forget that in the 
> States (at least in my day), English was the only subject that was 
> mandatory throughout the student's entire stay in high school.  What a 
> waste not to utilize the time in NS classes to advance students' writing 
> ability and love of quality literature!
>
> Don't lose sight of the wonderful possibilities available in working with 
> native speakers,
> Batya (from "the old school" -- not everything new is necessarily 
> improved!)
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "tali rebibo" <talirebibo@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Thursday, 26 January, 2012 9:37 AM
> Subject: [etni] Re: Native Speaking classes
>
>
>> On Thu, Jan 26, 2012 at 9:36 AM, tali rebibo <talirebibo@xxxxxxxxx> 
>> wrote:
>>> Hello,
>>> I am currently a student studying to be an English teacher and as part 
>>> of
>>> my "student teaching" have been observing a number of English classes
>>> taught in different grades and on different levels. The native speaking
>>> classes that I have observed on the high school level have all seemed to
>>> be exercises in passing the time. The classes seem to focus almost
>>> exclusively on the matriculation exams the level of which seems beneath 
>>> the
>>> students (again I am speaking of multiple classrooms and not one 
>>> particular
>>> example). Can anyone enlighten me as to what the curriculum is for these
>>> classes (grades 10,11, and 12)? Is there no way to teach literature?
>>> Tali
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
[etni] Fw: Re: Native Speaking classes

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