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April 08, 2005
Workplace Issues - Debating in the ESL Classroom: Let Me Explain . . .
Hello readers,
A few of you weighed in recently on the issue of debates in the ESL classroom, and boy do your opinions differ! It all stemmed from my observation last week that I was having a difficult time hearing some of the cruel things that my students were saying about the U.S. Some of you responded by calling me prejudice (what?), and others told me to keep silent on hot issues and not to allow my students to debate.
But I don't agree. (Especially with you, Kenneth! I AM a teacher and I'm definitely NOT a tease!)
And my students love it, too. I am a . . .
Here's my take on the situation. Debates are a huge part of my teaching, and I routinely encourage them in my classes. In fact, I like to pit the men against the women in classical debates about roles in various countries, or bring up a touchy subject and watch the sparks fly.
. . . popular teacher, and I often get requests for more lessons planned around debates.
But I can see some of your points, as well. I think the key to using debates in a classroom is the teacher's attitude as well as the students'. Obviously, if I didn't feel that my students could do the lesson in good fun, I wouldn't present it.
But that wasn't my point last week.
I was simply saying that in this particular class some of my students were very upset about what happened, and were voicing their opinions about it in an incredibly hurtful manner. It was simply difficult to listen to.
So, let's review. I am not a prejudice person. I am a real, live ESL teacher. And I don't routinely stifle my students' ability to express themselves.
Can't we all just be friends again? Please?
Until next time,
Michelle
Posted by msimmons at April 8, 2005 12:03 AM
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Comments
Dear Michelle,
I never said not to debate with the students but simply warned you against the subject matter and in particular for you not to get involved with anything dear to their heart, unless you agreed with them. It is ok for them to debate amongst themselves, with you in charge, but not for you to take an opposing point of view, in order to stimulate the debate. Therefore, I agree with what you are doing.
Regarding you being hurt by what they said about the US. I'm afraid you will get that all the time and you will just have to get used to it. In fact they will often say such things as, 'we like you but we don't like Americans' and so you see, it is not personal.
When I said you were a tease, I meant that you were teasing us by telling us that you were blonde after you had received our comments, about your visiting student. Dark skinned people are just fascinated by blonde hair and they can't resist touching it. Therefore, knowing this at the time would have added another slant to our comments.
I certainly did not mean that you were a tease with your students.
Posted by: kenneth cohan at April 8, 2005 03:12 PM
constructive debate which provides equal energy and time on both sides of the arguement is healthy. Respect for both parties is necessary in order to stay focused and civilized. Facts concerning the topic should be placed in a visual manner for both sides
Posted by: v. kratzer at April 20, 2005 03:05 PM
