[etni] [FWD: Re: Weak learners]]
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- To: etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 12:46:47 -0700
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-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [etni] [FWD: Weak learners]
From: "Lev Abramov" <lev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
On Tue, 2004-06-08 at 11:30, Mark Weisgold wrote:
> Is there going to be a course for weak learners including working
> with late starters in reading in the
> north/Galilee area?
I think that kids don't become weak learners "stam," for nothing -
there should be a reasons: either an underlying LD, or a below-average
general ability, or a combination thereof. I'm no authority on that - correct
me if I'm wrong. But there might be a connection between learning
disabilities and being a weak learner.
On the above assumption, I'd suggest taking a course in teaching LD
kids: such course could probably close the gap and provide the skills
and tools you need to teach your weak learners.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer anything in that vein at the moment;
however, we are exploring the possibility of creating such course (we
have a course on teaching beginner reading techniques - but that's a
different story, I think. Or am I wrong again?).
If someone who has taught a course on remedial EFL teaching and has
the materials needed to teach it is reading this, please get in touch with
us: we'd like to discuss the possibility of collaboration to create an
online course on LD.
Another thought on weak learners: I've been co-moderating an online
course on bullying in school for the past three weeks (I'm no expert
on that either :-] - we have an instructor who teaches it; I only take
care of technical matters) and have been reading the participants' postings
in their discussion forums. Well, it looks like being a victim of
bullying might also be one of the reasons for poor academic
performance.
Last thing: unlike other subjects, teaching English is based on
materials that deal with lots of subjects: anthropology, geography,
biology, sociology (even at very basic levels). If a child is
culturally deprived in general, then he/she probably lacks the concepts
required
for proper comprehension of the texts read in class. Nothing might be
wrong with their English - they just have no idea what we are talking
about.
So, what is "a weak learner?" A pupil that is culturally deprived?
Intellectually challenged? A victim of bullying? Learning-disabled?
All that or some of these factors combined?
Lev
-----------------
Lev Abramov - http://home.schiffman.biz
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