[etni] WHAT is our job as English teachers??
- From: "aviva shapiro" <shapiroaviva@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: ETNI <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 14 Jan 2007 18:12:19 +0200
What is our job as English teachers?? THAT is a good question. Some of us
say it is NOT our job to teach them certain skills which they should be
learning from their Hebrew speaking teachers. I partially agree BUT since
in reality we see they are NOT being taught these skills, like how to read
high level internet texts, how to summarize, how take notes. etc.. then why
is it so bad that we step in a fill the void. ?? At some point in the kids'
English education we stop teaching the language and start using *it
to*teach them other things.. THIS is the best part of teaching
English.. I am
not drilling them on grammar.. I am working with them in a second language ,
one which will be useful for life !! (whether it be to communicate with
others around the world , comprehend it while watching a movie or work in it
daily)
For example , I have just completed reading 'Night" with them. AND I was
shocked that only a few of them knew anything about the Holocaust.(or very
lilttle) These are 11th grade kids, . So not only did they improve their
English but they learned HISTORY.. !! (and they told me that it was
something they thought was really important to do ) AM I doing my job or the
History teacher's ?? Do I care.. NOT any more.. I enjoy being able to open
my kids eyes to different issues.. such as the project on children's rights
(OR .. non - rights as the case may be in some countries) .which I am
working on with my class now. .
Is the Ministry of Education failing OUR students . Maybe, So it is a good
thing that the English staffs can make a small dent in this and answer some
their needs. Are we the English teachers preparing them for life.??. I HOPE
so. AND I think projects are a great vehicle to teach the so many skills
that our students should know. (and yes even weaker students) . YES, some
they will need for English and some they will simply need for life.
So are we doing our jobs?? I would like to hope so.. I often wonder how the
other teachers keep their kids awake in class if all they do is lecture and
drill ... WE on the other hand have a myriad of ways and in my opinion there
should never be a dull moment in any English class !!
aviva
--
Try and Fail BUT Never Fail to try !!!
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