Job Discussion Forums

[kuberkat]

Though I have near five years' experience in ESL, it has been to younger learners in Asia, where the Enlgish scene is highly interactive and participatory. Headed for Oman, I'm not only looking at a new environment but also a whole new student demographic- young adults (gulp). Doing my homework on the new location, both online and in text, a question has come up to which old ME hands may have an answer.

Even adult ESL experts seem to agree on the importance of supporting materials, such as realia, art, music and audiovisuals. In the past they've been indispensable to me, though naturally the materials need to be adjusted to the students' ability, age and interests. However, I have come across some very extreme cautions against "graven images" and the like in more conservative Islamic contexts. Are there any supporting materials that should be avoided in ESL to adults in the Middle East, particularly Oman?

Thank you for your informed opinions. Off-topic tangents are also quite welcome in this case.

[grahamb]

Photographs of scantily-clad men and women should be avoided. That includes works of art such as the Venus de Milo! Using flashcards or idioms with porcine themes is not a good idea.
I haven't used music in the classroom yet, but I dare say there are Islamic songs in English which would be acceptable.
Some people avoid any mention of Islam in the classroom, which is a shame in view of its importance in everyday life. Muslims are proud of their religion and in my experience they'll happily talk about it. It's just a matter of common sense. Stay away from topics such as the Sunni/Shia/Ibadi debate, for example.
Omanis are incredibly hospitable people with a pronounced, often mischievous sense of humour, so make the most of any chances you get to socialise with them; you'll find the experience very rewarding.

[kuberkat]

grahamb

Thank you for the pointers. It is strange to deal with people who have such a different underlying paradigm that can't really be discussed explicitly, though being sensitive to it is always an ideal. Fortunately, being an ecstatic pantheist, I don't have too many religious prejudices of my own, though I do find structured religions intriguing. Suppose I'll keep my forays into Sufism extracurricular, then? The deeper I dig, the more wonderful things are said about the Omanis and I am really looking forward to the whole new life, if with a shred of trepidation.

Thanks again!

[veiledsentiments]

Will you be teaching university level? If so, it would intensive academic English and thus very different from teaching general English to children.

Most university level teaching has set texts (though writing texts are hard to find), so one often has to deal with the fact that these are mostly western produced and often have culturally unacceptable themes. But, I usually glossed over it with humor. They know it is a bottle of booze or a mug of beer in the picture... and laughed if I declared it to be tea or Pepsi. They know it is a pig even though I insisted that it is a very ugly fat donkey. Seriously, Omanis are very accepting.

But, I would keep my pantheistic tendencies private. Be sure to put Christian on your forms... no one will ever quiz you on it. I ran into a few other Western teachers who were into Sufism... in particular some of the converts. I wouldn't get into the topic with the students.

VS

[scot47]

Do not talk about religion and forget about using music in the classroom.

[grahamb]

I've had no problems talking about religion thus far, compadre. I assume it's off the menu in the KSA.

[dmb]

[31]

Of course the girlf cost 30 dinars an hour or 60 for the night.

[yumyumkorea]

Kuberkat, you sound like a real bunch of laughs, I bet your lessons will go down a hoot. Get ready to deal with the 'underlying paradigms' of 'how do I get to sh*g Western women' 'How much can I drink before I fall over' I think you can cut the technical lingo, if you've done the MA you've 'seen it, done it, bought the T-shirt'.

[scot47]

Even THINKING about Sufism in KSA is enough to get you locked up. Maybe Oman is different !