----- 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 >>> >> >> >> >