Connections etc.

Ok I fail - this is my post for last week, since being out of town this weekend apparently erased my memory, and I forgot about blogging :(

Something interesting seems to happen nearly every semester - I always seem to have at least 2 classes that end up discussing the same themes simultaneously. This semester is no exception - in my English 302 class (intro to the english language) we began last week to discuss ESL students, and how best to teach them in an English-speaking classroom. We've of course had readings on this topic, with the result that I confuse my readings for this class with the readings for that class. But it's awesome that I can extend my knowledge between classes. So last week for 302, we read an article that addressed the problem of teaching students who know little or no English at all, while also trying to teach your regular class of native English speakers. It's quite a dilemma. The author suggested having the ESL students write first primarily in their native language, because if they're not good writers in their home language, they can't be good writers in English. As they learn English, they can gradually start integrating English words into their writing, until they eventually make the transition to all English. They wouldn't be graded on what they wrote, but just that they wrote at all, since the teacher wouldn't be able to read their home language.

The article went on to discuss some of what we've addressed as well - the differences in writing styles between cultures, and how difficulties arise as a result. This whole rambling mess of a blog entry may seem totally pointless and irrelevant, but I found it really useful as a writing tutor to think about how an ESL student acquires the English language and in what contexts. Also, class discussions in 302 made me think about the whole language thing from the other side; how frustrated must ESL students feel, trying to operate in a new culture with a new language, and getting lost in translation as a result? As English speakers, we are so lucky and spoiled to be able to travel almost anywhere in the world, and be able to use English MOST of the time and be understood. Everyone knows our language, and we for some reason expect them to, but yet how many of us are fluent in any other language? Some food for thought I suppose...