(1) News by Tara
We'll do the news today as there won't be time at the next class as we would then do the orals. There would therefore not be a new news item before we have the class on Tuesday morning. Please choose from any of the news items which we haven't done this semester (there is a list). Please don't copy each other (decide on your own news item). Cynthia and Mary, do you understand?
(2) Learning of English in Brazil:
We will continue the questions and discussion in activity 6 and 7 which we haven't finished at the last class. I will particularly be interested in question 11 of Activity 6.
(3) Skills builders: School issues
We'll discuss some questions about school life in general (see the attachment).
brazil-class-worksheet.pdf
11 - W14b - school.pdf
Replies
Learning through music is possible when one has the lyrics of the song to look at when listening. Yes, I am very aware of the motivation of the Chinese students to learn English ... in most occasions there is actually no motivation, as you have mentioned. Most of them can't understand the need to learn English. It is as if they have no ambition. Or, if they have some ambition, that doesn't stretch beyond China's borders. So shortsighted and narrow-minded. What about you, Wang Jiajia? Do you study English just to pass exams?
Well, I hope so, Nancy. But I'm not sure whether I can go on your word (though I know I can trust you); your class has to prove herself to me ..
Yes, listening to English songs may be nice, but one should have the lyrics available to follow the words as some of those songs are very fast and are difficult to follow. I agree, art and music classes can be very meaningful. However, I'm not sure whether many children would like to have those classes. Maybe it is because they don't understand the meaning of art and music in the human's life ..
Thank you for the comment, Zhou Yuqi. I hope we draw your name tomorrow to tell us the news as it sounds quite interesting! You summed it up correctly, I believe, that the current education system is so rigid ... It is surely is not really constructive in a student's life. And yes, exams and homework may be important, but what about when it is overloading the students so much that they lose their interest in education? There should be a balance.
You are surprising me, Tina; are you really doing that?! You look such a smart student; maybe you are just having a dream ..! But I am glad you are not staying away from your oral classes as that may hurt the teacher .. On the other hand, maybe that'll be what he deserves!
As I told Ada above, I too agree that homework is important, but there must be limitations to the amount of homework. Children's spirits and initiative shouldn't be broken by overloading them with so much classwork and homework. And that's exactly what I noticed is happening here. Children are never given the opportunity to be what they are - children. They are often being treated as machines or robots and not as children. That is not right, I believe. Do you mean summer 'vacation' is necessary, Tan Jingping? The word 'vocation' means job or profession.
Thanks, it is a nice article you shared with us, Ada, but remember next time to quote the source or the author. Yes, I agree about the importance of homework, but what if the students are already so overloaded with homework that they have to do that till late at night? Then it doesn't mean they had a nice break from 5pm in the afternoons; as you know, it means most of them were engaged in homework since after school till they need to go to bed at 10pm or even later. That can't be right, can it? What about a child's nature of being a child? She/he has to live out that nature to its fullest. But with an education system as we have here, a child's childhood is taken away from her/him. Have you ever realized that? So, amongst others, I believe there should be limitations to the amount of homework.
I am also glad that you were born female, Kelly, as there are enough boys in this country, and besides, girls are just much more special! Yes, I agree that the early morning activities can be really annoying. Even the first class is too early for me! I like the second class best, and then the afternoon classes (though the fourth one is better than the third one!). I am also a night hawk (and has never been an early bird). Most Chinese students don't see the value of tests, I am surprised. Though they are annoying, I agree, I do believe they are of much value to prepare one for the exams properly. I am not sure whether the students take tests regularly in China? I'll hear from the class tomorrow.
You don't have to join Facebook to be on a social website, Wang Shuaitian; you are already on a social website, English Club.com! Though this is an English language website, they have this section for members where we can all interact with one another, build our own profiles, make friends, take part in discussions, and learn English while doing it. Facebook is not such a website and I am not convinced that FB would help improve one's language skills. I'm glad that you made such a wise choice to attend class despite being the only boy among the girls (and it must be exciting to have all those lovely roses around you!). And then Jackie Chan is also there to help you!
Thank you, Liu Yufan; at least your comment tells me you know what the lesson's about. Why do your classmates not understand the instruction for comments here? Is it so complicated?
What you said about the way Chinese students are used to being taught, is probably the single-most important reason for students' attitude to the Oral English classes too. They are so used to teachers doing everything and them just sitting passively, that they think they can also learn speaking English while the English teacher does all the talking. And it's so far from reality. I am glad to read that you have discovered the problem with the education model and are prepared to do something about it. Sadly, not many students can figure that out by themselves and are so mislead by the system that they just believe it to be the only way.
And what you said about "use the website actively to study better", is also a key to a student's success to improve the language skills. I know it and I have seen the results from students who did follow that advice. But again sadly, most students don't believe that, or just don't care to improve. I hope you can change that attitude, at least in your class.
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