Job Discussion Forums

[grayskies]

@ Scott47,

No, I am not an administrator.

If I were, was anything I said, inconsistent with what is going on in some IEP programs across the Gulf?

@VS,

You are extremely defensive about this topic. It may make one think, you do not have experience teaching Academic English. If not, I would think, you would be more concerned for students to succeed in their academic years, through preparation for just that intent.

I am simply one IEP instructor tired of working in Mickey Mouse programs.

[cmp45]

IMO, Academic writing belongs within the University program. Of course PYP is suppose to prepare students for what is coming. At the very least upon exiting PYP, students should have been introduced to the basics of academic writing along with an awareness of what is expected upon starting an intro academic writing course. That may be bit of a stretch; an ideal to strive for than the actual reality.

I also do not think PYP students are able to cope with too much information regarding all the nuts and bolts of academic writing. APA format? I think this is best left for the University program. It is hardly realistic when students are still grappling with developing sentence structures and what constitutes a proper thesis, introduction, body and conclusion. There are only so many hours in a week and weeks in a term. PYP Teachers also must follow a set syllabus so there is usually very little wiggle room to introduce in-depth academic writing ie: APA style. As I stated before let the University (intro)Academic writing program deal with this. PYP has enough on its plate to deal with. Thank you and good night!

Something to ponder...

http://www.itari.in/categories/PYP/IBOPYP.pdf

[Pikgitina]

Let's not fool ourselves into believing we're involved in anything academic.

[mashkif]

[grayskies]

Hi Mashkif,

As IEP instructors, we know students learn through doing. This is why head of depts., instructed us, to teach using student knowledge; hence, the 'holiday' and 'my best friend' paragraphs were born.

We know that these students don't read (books, newspapers and internet) in English. We know they do not speak the target language outside the classroom. We know, they are bored senseless.

In my line of thinking, let us incorporate stimulating lessons that will encapsulate all the things they should be doing, into a class.

The only other solution I can think of, teach TEFL as 2 distinct entities (grad. majors): 1. As English for Academic Purposes
2. English toward general acquisition purposes (tourist)

[grayskies]

[scot47]

English as the medium of instruction in Higher Education worked reasonably well when that education was for a small elite. Then the doors were opened to huge numbers of students with very poor language and study skills.

Universities in Saudi Arabia are now faced with the results of these policies. I imagine that the UAE has the same quandary.

[cmp45]

[Rostom]

[myohmy]

[veiledsentiments]

[grayskies]

I've been in the Gulf for 30 years, and I've taught for 20+

The Arabian Gulf is my home. I don't simply run away
when things become difficult.

I am quite realistic about the conditions which face the
students. With all things considered, this is what change
is all about, to fix, what needs fixing.

If you believe all things should stay the same, because.....
It is your opinion.

Don't beat me up for mine.

[johnslat]

Dear greyskies,

Do you think that being a non-native speaker makes success in teaching Academic Writing more likely?

Regards,
John

[grayskies]

If I were a director, I would not hire non-natives in an IEP unit.

If an American curriculum was in place, then I would try to
hire as many Americans who are suited for the job and
willing to learn.

The same principle goes for a British curriculum, etc..

[grayskies]

And hire instructors who are willing to learn.....