Job Discussion Forums

teacher4life · Joined: 22 Apr 2012 Posts: 121

Pity the tribe toadies who don't understand my message. You guys are in dire need of the critical thinking skills you claim to offer. Laughing

johnslat · Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 2:56 am Post subject:

Dear teacher4life,

But do not leave us tribal toadies mired in our ignorance, O sage. Take our hands and lead us down the path of wisom Very Happy

.

Pretty please.

Regards,
John

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 3:17 am Post subject:

No need for pity. It is not I who claims to teach critical thinking skills in place of language skills. Clarity of written expression is an area many language learners genuinely need help with. And not just the learners.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I, too, teach the language needed to express critical thoughts. Not 'thinking skills.' I wouldn't presume; my students are clearly capable of thinking critically at high levels already!

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 7:06 am Post subject:

An archaic skill, of bygone, better times, sob sob. And very Germanic too! : )

artemisia · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 875 Location: the world

I was put to shame at the numbers of continental Europeans I met who could speak several languages really well. For Germans, this frequently included Spanish and/or French. In fact, part of the border area between France and Germany (Alsace and Saarland) is fully bilingual. I�d say English is of more importance in Germany when dealing with non European countries. I don�t see that changing for a very long time to come if ever.

In terms of teaching, I liked comparing my experiences of language learning with students. That had its uses for me as I think it sometimes changes the dynamic with your class. Other than that, having some knowledge of how a specific language works and the kinds of mistakes a learner is likely to be useful as well, but I don�t see it as necessary for language teaching except perhaps for true beginners. How useful a language is for your personal/professional life depends on where you end up living. I think that�s also true of whatever niche you choose to specialise in within the language teaching field.

PeterBar · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 145 Location: La France profonde

And Switzerland with 3 official languages - French, German and Italian.

MdSmith · Joined: 15 Nov 2012 Posts: 67

Hello all. Sorry I am going back to the original topic, anyone know of any niches in environmental/geo-science in tefl?

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world