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P-T

I've been teaching at this Institute since February, & have had lots of interesting discussions with students about all kinds of things, including drug usage in NZ (is it common/is it legal/which drugs?)

In the last couple of weeks I've been asked for more specific information; kind of like a 'users & dealers dictionary'.

I'm uncomfortable with it. Should I be, or am I unnecessarily skittish?

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Sounds as though they are trying to suss you out, be careful.
I tell them I know nothing about drugs, never tried them.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

When students ask me language questions, I tell them--about drugs, swear words, etc. They�re all perfectly valid vocabulary terms. But then, I�ve always worked with either university students or adults, so I assume a certain amount of maturity and "life experience" on their part. I might end such a discussion in a class of kids, though. But with my students, if they�re hearing terms in music or movies and just want to know what they mean or how to use them, sure, I�ll tell them. I won�t initiate the discussion, though.

d

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Dear Prue Jarvis

Give them what they want; it's not your job to critixcize their choice of careers and it beats doing Headway anyway.

And if it all goes horribly wrong at least you'll be able to say you're the only person to have been exiled from Siberia.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

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

I just say that I'm not the best person to ask.

That's because my knowledge of the subject is limited, and I'd rather maintain a professional relationship with my students.

I wouldn't say that there are not some situations where the need to know might outweigh the sensitivity of the topic - I've taught some pretty unprofessional terminology to a class of adult male immigrant students who asked specifically what words might get them punched out in a bar. But I wasn't touching anything potentially illegal, either.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

DesertStar · Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 80 Location: UAE Oasis

I'd use caution, and lots of it. You may never be sure about your students' maturity level and what they can do with the info you provide them (college students included). I'd think about it ethically, not just legally.

I agree with ls650, students can be quite impressionable.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Explaining terms/words which students' bring up (eg from movies) seems fine.

The question " How do I buy/What do they call .... in .... country?" is perhaps bett er avoided. What one student sees as answering a fun and potentially useful question could be viewed by another as evidence of moral laxity unbecoming a teacher. Especially important if one is a country with a strict views on (foreigners and) drugs.

Sometimes (seeming) ignorance can be bliss.

P-T · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 1:05 pm Post subject:

Thanks everyone, you've been a great help & have eased my mind. I toss up over the moral issues vs. 'better they learn from me than some dodgy character with a pocketful of goodies'.

Have a good week wherever you are.

Cdaniels · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 3:04 pm Post subject: Rehab

I would explain vocabulary, and more, in terms of warnings! I think you could safely emphasize the dangers and social problems of illegal drugs (and legal ones too, for that matter) I have unfortunately had friends who have become addicts, and more happily, friends who have gone through professional treatment and who are currently in recovery. Ignorance did not help them or their loved ones. If you have knowledge about signs and symptoms of addiction, including paraphenilia, this can actually be very helpful information to family members and friends of your students. Lecturing about illicit drugs may be off-putting, and I try not to overdo it, but if a student asks questions, I can't help but see it as an opportunity to warn them of the hazards and dangers. If you know anything about addiction, I don't think simply refusing to answer is a sufficient response. Plus, students who are determined to ignore the warnings will probably stop asking if you consistantly emphasize the negatives.

Aramas · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 12:47 am Post subject: Re: Rehab

Cdaniels · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 2:20 am Post subject: Well, yes and no

Puerile? Nice latinate insult! The war on drugs is not only from the extreme right. I don't think the communists look tolerantly on recreational drug use. The war on drugs in the US is fought with the blessings of the majority, also, whether you agree or disagree. Even if you disagree with these policies, you probably shouldn't share that opinions with your students, while anti-drug messages are safe to share.

(Addendum: "that opinions" should read "drug-related terminology" Obviously I sometimes have trouble being coherent in my most sober moments Smile

I end up sounding like "a shill!"

Aramas · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 4:15 am Post subject: Re: Well, yes and no

If most members of a class agree that drug related issues are worthy of discussion, then have the students research the issue, help them to ascertain the veracity of their sources, and have the whole class summarise the pertinent arguments on both sides. It can be even more helpful if individual students are assigned positions to which they are personally opposed.

Edited to make it less irritating Smile