[etni] the E module
- From: "David" <bareldj@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "etni" <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2004 12:04:44 +0200
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I dread to contemplate what will happen to regular students next year in the
light of the difficulties encountered by native speakers this year. My
apprehensions are heightened by the fact the the main thrust of the crticism is
levelled at Module E, which 4 pointers are also expected to be able to cope
with! Unless something is done, next year there will be great wailing and
gnashing of teeth from 4 point teachers and students as well.
The root of the problem here is not any particular question but that we as
teachers of a foreign language are expected to teach sophisticated reading
techniques that our students have not been taught to employ in their native
language. When I raised this point before a New Bagrut Instructor, I was the
given the answer that elementary school classes are now beginning to learn
these techniques and that it would take a few years till those students reached
high schools. In other words, "hang in there". But that advice is totally
useless to the current crop of junior and high school students who are being
and will be punished in their bagrut grades through no fault of their own.
If, indeed, it is true that elementary classes are now being taught more
sophisticated reading techniques, why was our English department in such a rush
to introduce the new bagrut questions? Who is responsible for putting the cart
so far ahead of the horse?And where is the logic in testing such advanced
techniques in a FOREIGN LANGUAGE when there is no test of equal sophistication
or importance in the students' native tongue?
In order to prevent the gross unfairness that is about to be perpetrated on
high school students, I strongly recommend that the English department postpone
the introduction of the new bagrut questions until there is at least a three
point reading comprehension test in Hebrew! However, I am very pessimistic
about the chances of such a common sense step being taken because I have the
uncomfortable feeling that this whole whirlwind of change in which we are
caught up is being powered by considerations that are foreign to the basic
value of fairness to our students.
As Nina said, it really is up to us to ensure that our students, and indeed we
teachers, are not trampled on in the New Bagrut stampede. Raise your voices.
David Bar El.
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