[etni] Re: Literature - etni Digest V7 #35

From: Ariella Kopels <mckopels@xxxxxxxxx>
To: etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2009 11:17:13 -0800 (PST)
Dear Colleagues,
I have been out of the loop for a while due to a serious illness, but now that 
I am back on task, I am deeply saddened by the running dogfight concerning the 
new Lit programme. I think that the teachers who have taken the time to comment 
to the list are worried about what is best for their students, and not looking 
to crucify the individuals who have worked on developing the new modules.
 
I love Literature. I have never stopped teaching it and I put a good deal of 
effort into choosing pieces that suit each individual class.This year I am 
teaching a short story unit based on fairy tales, which includes works that 
present parody, feminism and the Holocaust - not what you find in the average 
literature book. Sometimes I teach works that have been translated in an effort 
to expose my students to the world  they will inherit. I do this because the 
majority of English speakers in the world today speak English as a second 
language. These authors may not write in my native tongue; but they are a part 
of my reality - and my students'. However  I am not surprised that your 
survey preferred older pieces of Literature. Schools are facing a financial 
crunch and are not about to invest in unlimited resources for the "krizot" of 
the English staff. You use what you can. And with all the best intentions 
considered, not every teacher has the time
 to invest in something unknown and untried. They are too busy correcting 
countless drafts of their students' projects. 
 
During project season, my average evening of correcting papers ends at about 1 
am - every school night. I know that I am not alone. So now if I want to keep 
to the standard I believe in, I understand that I can expect to forgo sleep for 
the entire school year, because I will choose the log. This is mostly because I 
want to teach works that I think will widen the students horizons, but also 
because after looking at the sample exam I know that even my best students (who 
are also Hebrew Lit majors and know a thing or two about examining a piece 
critically) can not pass it.
  
 As for the comment that "the teachers who are complaining... are the ones who 
haven't taken the course" - I believe that it is a blow below the belt. The 
schedule of courses was announced after the academic year began. I can only 
speak for myself (albeit I am sure that there are many other teachers in the 
same position) - but I can't just march into my principal and tell him to 
change the schedule because now I have to run to take a course. Yes, I asked 
and was told no. It was a reasonable response. The last information given at 
our staff meeting informed us that there may not be a course in the summer - 
you know limited resources. So again English teachers will be sent into the 
fray unprepared - and this time not so willing. Yes, there are on-line course, 
but frankly after my last experience with an on-line course I am less than 
enthusiastic to travel that road again.
 
I agree with Jimmy and David that we can not blindly jump on the new bandwagon. 
Will these changes make our students stronger in English? Will they be able to 
better comprehend the texts that they will have to study in university? Will 
they have the background knowledge to express their concerns about our country 
clearly and fluently to news reporters (unlike our politicians) when we face 
another crisis. Will knowing HOTS and LOTS help them find their way in the 
subway in New York or the underground in London? 
 
 I wonder.
 
Best,
Ariella Kopels

 


      
----------------------------------------------- 
** Etni homepage - http://www.etni.org 
   or - http://www.etni.org.il **
** for help - ask@xxxxxxxx **
** to post to this list - etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx **
-----------------------------------------------
[etni] Re: Literature - etni Digest V7 #35

Other related posts:
