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Paulie2003 · Joined: 29 Mar 2003 Posts: 541

Greetings all!!

I am currently teaching at a school in San Salvador whose Director wishes to utilize more Scripture in the classroom. Some of the teachers even feel 'called' more to a position of missionary/evangelist. My question: Do any of you find yourselves in a similar situation and, if so,
how are you presenting Biblical examples to your own classes? I feel that God has entrusted to me a minimum of 70 young lambs and I feel the desire to feed these 'saplings' with a mixture of both secular and spiritual examples. I would enjoy anyones input, but please - avowed atheists; unbelievers or non-ESL'ers need not respond. Thank you!

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

In Mexico, there is, politically speaking, a strong separation between church and state. I have never seen or heard it proposed that the bible or scripture be used for content or style in a classroom in private or public classes.

However, I was once offered a teaching position with a Christian organization here in Mexico City. They were adamant that ONLY scripture and the bible be used in classes, for groups of children in an afterschool program. Scripture was to be used in two ways...first as appropriate moral conent in reading and second, as moral guidance for anything taught or practiced in the class.

Of course, I had to turn the offer down because of both my religious leanings and for my standards in EFL methodology. Because it was an afterschool program, I can see how the materials fit the needs of the particular Christian group this organization caters to, even if I don't agree with it.

The formula was simple. Take any type of class you have planned in a secular EFL class, appropriate for the age group. Go through the plan and apply any scripture you have on hand that you wish to use as a 'moral guide'. Incorporate it based on the skills practice that dominates your lesson and presto. It's basically the same, just with a different 'main objective' of the lesson. Simple recipe. Going further...add two eggs, some sugar, and flour and you get a cake!

Paulie, I am impressed by your post. I have hit you in the past for being a racist and for prosthelytizing, and perhaps too critically. This post is something more palatable and answerable by we secular education types.

Paulie2003 · Joined: 29 Mar 2003 Posts: 541

No...I, thank God, have never worn prosthetics of any sort!

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Glad you have a secular, humoUrous side!

Paulie2003 · Joined: 29 Mar 2003 Posts: 541

Guy, I appreciate your (sometimes acid) wit as well! There are others that leave me wondering if I should appreciate or retaliate!

To some up my feelings of Christianity and the Bible, I would have to quote a Pastor that spoke some truly revelatory words at a service which I attended some time ago - they were: "It does't matter which version
[as in speaking of the many translations of the Bible] you believe - the WORST version has more TRUTH than you are willing to live by!"

It seems that those simple words rang so true to my heart and mind...obviously I have never forgotten them.

Just what is it we are WILLING to live by?...truly a question for the ages - don't you think?

"Yes, I'm goin' up to that Spirit in the sky -
that's where I wanna go when I die -
when I die and they lay me to rest -
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best! [I've got a Friend in Jesus!]

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Thank you...

I tend to live by one thing, and one thing alone. The only thing I am absolutely certain of is my ignorance.

Tamara · Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Posts: 108

Paul,

I don't have anything to add, as I haven't been in such a situation, yet. However, I'm glad to see the question posed, and hope to glean from other responses, as I believe it quite possible I will be teaching from that perspective one day.

Teaching ESL in the US, I have had occasion to share my personal beliefs (when questioned by students), especially in the context of comparing cultures. Keep in mind I teach adults, and not children, and I think it makes a difference that I'm discussing world views and belief systems that have already been established. On the other hand, maybe it makes no difference.

I'm quite sure I don't understand the extreme aversion to teaching from one's personal beliefs. In fact, I don't understand how anyone can avoid it entirely. Sadly, it seems the aversion isn't about belief systems in general, but about one based on the Bible.

Tamara

Carina_Cisneros · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 7:09 am Post subject:

Neither here nor there on God (me that is). But, scripture is like poetry, and it is often something I reserve for advanced language levels, due to the translation "options". There are too many options, too many metaphors, too many "everythings". I suppose I could do it, but I would never make that decision based on faith, only on the fact that that I think I could impart more knowledge via a different subject matter - and I think the knowledge factor more valuable than the faith factor...

Paulie2003 · Joined: 29 Mar 2003 Posts: 541

Of course we are all aware that the Bible itself remains THE number one Book in the world! Most literary scholars also agree that purely for its literary expertise and value - it can't be beat...ah...but we could easily go SO much deeper than that...

"In the beginning..."

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Paulie2003 · Joined: 29 Mar 2003 Posts: 541

What you are saying in essence, Tim, is that you are (voluntarily or involuntarily - probably the latter if I know most scool systems) withholding a moral compass (the Bible) that has been used throughout the ages to give humankind at least SOME semblance of sanity (like marriage should (was designed) to be ONLY between a man and a woman - among many other essential truths) Please tell me, Tim, without the Bible or Godly beliefs - what directive does mankind have to conduct themselves in right behaviour and humble submission to a Wisdom that is FAR greater than our own vain attempts at establishing humanistic 'moral' guidelines based upon 'feelings' rather than conscience?

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Paulie2003 · Joined: 29 Mar 2003 Posts: 541

Only ONE real difference as far as I can see, Tim (of course some of you may think that's not too far) - the Bible is Wisdom FROM God...the others are essentially dangerous misconceptions or false 'revelations' -

Just read the Bible - I believe that this is clearly stated...

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Paulie, one of the things that has always stuck in me about the Bible are the apparent self-defeating lines of logic. And remember, I was born Catholic, went to Catholic school through th Grade 9, went to Church, etc, etc.

I could never resolve that:

-the bible is the word of God
-man is a lost sheep, fallible, in need of 'a moral compass'
-the bible was actually and physcially written by the hand of man
-that man must heed the word, which is the bible, and not his own inventions or false idols

If a man, or many men wrote the bible, regardless of it being God's word, then as a product of man, it must be fallible, or at the very least, creates a doubt as to man's ability to accurately interpret the Word, according to it's own logic

I don't attack it. I just see that it defeats itself. Perhaps this is the true message of the Bible.

Paulie2003 · Joined: 29 Mar 2003 Posts: 541

Guy, first of all...good to hear from you!

Yes, you pose all the similar question that any well-rounded student of Scripture would pose - trouble is - I don't necessarily think that a 'Catholic' upbringing necessarily answers ANY question about the Bible.
Now...I don't want to be 'stepping on anyones toes' - but don't you think that all great questions may better be answered introspectively? Some spiritual quests espouse sitting in solitude upon the rocky crags of some lofty and lonely mountain - it is my feeling that that just may work for some...