"I CAN´T REALLY STAND IT" may be a rude expression to be used when writing about something we are disappointed with. Sorry if it is this way. I sat on my chair and started to think about what to write in this week blog. I said: YES, I´LL WRITE ABOUT THE WONDERFUL TASKS AND READINGS ROBERT SENT TO US!!! but suddenly I remembered the unbelievable situation I´m living in the high school right now.
We are at the begining of a new school year and we ( teachers of all subjects ) were told about teaching in "COMPONENTS". We have about five components: language, endogenous, science and some others I do not remember right now. For instance, English and Spanish teachers have to work and plan togheter; the same contents, almost the same activities, evaluations, etc. The problem is not planning, the thing is that if the school has lack of spanish teachers, English ones have to substitute them and it´s become an OBLIGATION now. We are ENGLISH TEACHERS and our duty is to grow this language in every student. Our university degree says ENGLISH TEACHER no SPANISH TEACHERS. This is our mother tongue but I think we are not prepared for that. I do teach spanish to one of my students in the company. He´s from Brazil and he needs to learn spanish. I´m prepared for that. But there are already teachers in some schools who are complaining about this new change in our educational system.
We need to plan together. The same contents, activities and evaluations. Due to the fact that I need to do so, I feel limits in my teaching process. If the Spanish T wants to talk about "communication" in the first content, then I have to do same but in English. If I want to talk about the parts of the body and create a dynamic game or any other activity and the spanish T doesn´t agree because it doesn´t match with her activities, then I CAN´T DO IT!!! noooooooooooooooooooo I caaaaan´t stand it!!!
Most of those English T who simultaniously work teaching spanish are not prepared enough and it means that the students´learning process is not going to be succesful because the teachers are not well prepared. It´s not only happening with English and Spanish; Social studies T have to work with subjects such as Geography, History, Art and Family education. A math teacher has to work with Math, Physics, Chemestry and Biology!!! CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW THAT LESSON PLAN IS GOING TO BE???
That´s the education our " Government " wants for venezuelan students. and WHAT ABOUT ME?? I just try to relax and do my best in the classroom. I´m not following the rules because I simply do not agree. I´m going to work together with the spanish teacher, but I won´t do the same she will do.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND ME!!!
Hi Maria,
ResponderEliminarI can imagine how upset feel.
Although I cannot but sympathize with your concern , I believe you can take this an opportunity to work with your colleagues more collaboratively and closely.
In the end, both of you have to develop writing, high-order thinking skills, reading among others.
I cannot but sympathize with your concern. What are the reasons behind these changes in your country? Lack of teachers?
Cecilia
Hello Maria Silva!
ResponderEliminarI understand your state and your feelings about the system of education in your country.
You know we all have to follow some rules even if we can agree with them. It is very sad that you can't speak English at your lessons. You say you have to teach Spanish not English.
As for our university, three languages are taught here. They are English, Russian and Kazakh. But I am not allowed to teach Kazakh or Russian as I haven't got a special education on these languages. I am a teacher of English and French.
I admit that Kazakh is devoted nuch more hours than English. And we accept it for granted, as Kazakh is the official language in our country and everybody should study it at the university. But the thing is that there are many people who do not know it because they are of another nationalities (for example, Russians, Germans, Ukranians, etc). But they strive to know it as they wish to leave in our country and they want their childen know it in their future. You may ask how it happened that many nationalities live here. It is very long story and this phenomenon can be explained by some events of former Soviet union. As for me personally I am happy so many people live here. Nowadays they say that there are no different nationalities here, but there is one united single friendly nation.
As concerns these three languages, the teachers of them are consedered to be together also here, they are called language teachers. But there are three language sections: the section of English, the section of Kazakh and the same of Russian. That is why somehow English can't be thought as similar to Russian and Kazakh.We as the teachers of English are allowed to speak only English at the lessons.
It is a pity that the head of your educational department can't realize that there should be some changes for better teaching and acquisition of the separate subjects. But let's hope there will be certain changes and progress in the system of education.
But now I suggest waiting for some changes for a better level of education. Don't be so upset! Enjoy this course now and then you will se what a benefit it is for us all.
Hi Maria,
ResponderEliminarI feel sorry for the condition of the teaching English and Spanish in your country. I'd like to share a little bit about Indonesia. Since 1994, English became a local content subject for elementary schools. It means that schools have their own policy to put English in their curriculum and how to manage the teaching of English depends on the situation and condition of the school.
When English was introduced at that time (for elementary schools), there were chaos in our academic world. There were small numbers of English teachers as university/teacher training graduates were only prepared to teach English at junior high-schools. So the compensation is, like in your country, one teacher must teach several subjects, i.e. Math teacher must teach English and even a religion teacher must teach English in order that the teaching of English can be done in the elementary schools. This phenomena happened especially in remote areas where schools were very undeveloped compared with those in bigger cities/towns.
Well, that was in 1994 until 2000. But fortunately, our government has made some new policies concerning the teaching of English and the problems have been solved although not all regions have the same chance in having the right teacher for the right subject.
I think that's all my share. I'm so concerned about you but please get tough with yourself and keep on giving your best to your students as they will be our future.
Best regards,
Yudi