Job Discussion Forums

[sheeba]

Teaching adults in the UK right now . Got asked this question today to which I naturally replied truthfully that years ago I did take pills and some other stuff , but don't now . I didn't promote the use of drugs and never would but do wonder whether perhaps I am better off just saying "no"to this question in adult classes . My class are 16-25 ish . What do you guys think?

[Justin Trullinger]

Just been asked about my sexual morals, and those in my country, by a group of teens in a cultural orientation. Where cultures meet, there's a lot of curiousity, which is good. There are also a lot of stereotypes, which need to be met with as much honesty as possible.

I would consider whether or not I do drugs (or anything else) to be a personal matter. But I certainly consider it an important part of a cultural orientation to talk about the differing attitudes towards drugs, sex, and many other things that one will find from country to country, and even region to region.


Best,
Justin

[ntropy]

I always say, yes, Coffee. But just once, in high school, and I didn't inhale.

[denise]

I agree with Justin about drugs, etc. being an important part of culture. I avoid answering personally and say something like, "It's really common in high schools and universities in the US." The next time someone asks (the question hasn't come up recently!), I'm going to say, "I plead the 5th," and let them figure it out.

d

[tedkarma]

I agree with Justin and Denise.

My personal history - other than my qualifications and experience in the EFL world - are mine and personal and thus private. If you aren't careful with these type issues they WILL come back and bite you when you least expect it. Like when the students tell the dean of the university, "Mr. So and So told us he is taking drugs".

Don't forget - EFL students are EFL students - and therefore don't always have a full grasp of the language nor the context within which you are speaking. Misunderstandings are bound to occur.

It is helpful and useful to discuss culture and history - but in a non-personal manner.

The few times I speak of my personal experience are usually about travel or things that will really SHOCK my students. Things like that I have NEVER seen a bank robbery or high speed car chase shoot out - as many EFL students assume EVERY American has . . .

Frankly, if asked the direct question the OP posted - I would answer with whatever response would be the most conservative - and would most likely just say "No." But then I have been tempered by five years of teaching in the Middle East - where even nuance can be quickly distorted and used against you.

[Justin Trullinger]

Of course, every rule has it's exception. I was thinking about this, because after I finish writing this, I have to go to a going away party for a student, now also a friend, who I have taught for three years. His class, which I have seen pass from total beginners to fairly fluent speakers, are all young, educated adults of about my age. Over the years, I have told them a wealth of things that I wouldn't tell most students. But then, they've been open about things that don't usually get said in English classes either. Relationship counts.

Also, dealing with teens, and bearing in mind that some of my teaching of teens is cultural preparation for exchanges as well as pure English, I find that you have to give to get. For their preparation to be successful, they have to share their worries, doubts, confusions, and thoughts about the ways teens live in other countries. Dating, drinking, drugs, sex, and many other taboo topics are on the list of things they are worried about. They were worries for me when I was a teen. If I can't admit that, what right do I have to ask them to? Clearly, I try to keep my personal anectdotes limited to those that don't incriminate me. Still, I'm asking them to share about topics they don't usually discuss out loud. It stands to reason that I may need to do the same.

Best,
justin

[TheLongWayHome]

[anospi]

There is a great book called "Taboos and Issues" by Richard MacAndrew and Ron Martinez that contains 40 photocopiable lessons on a range of topics including drugs, sex, racism, addictions, abortion and tonnes of others.

If your students are interested why not hunt it down and devote a lesson to one of these topics. I used the "Bribery and corruption" lesson once in Cambodia which made for a very interesting class, given that it's rife there, and I was pissed off with a cop for trying to get money out of me for riding a push bike the wrong way down a one way street as locals on motorbikes were doing the same thing!

[matttheboy]

Factoid: 'Taboos and Issues' is the best conversation material ever.

[ls650]

I would just turn it into a joke: "Yeah, I take drugs all the time; in fact, last night I took some Aspirin!"

If I knew the students very well (for example, I have known some of the students at my current school for two years, and know that the majority of them have used recreational drugs), I might be a little more forthcoming.

If I didn't know "my audience" well I would be careful not to reveal such personal information - you never know how some people might react...

[Frontline]

These things all depend on the context. I once taught a pre-int class a lesson from (I think) Cutting Edge, designed to teach the present perfect. It focused on the question, "Have you ever?"

For love of God, don't repeat the mistake I made with this class in Italy. "Have you ever been in a car accident?" turned into a two-hour conversation/therapy class.

[Gregor]

It's really amazing how little common sense some people have when it comes to this sort of thing.
I'm thinking of a teacher that I may very well have to sack in the next couple weeks. The students don't like him, and one of the reasons is that he's so open about how he feels about Communism and communist countries (BTW, this IS a communist country, and this guy is American - 'nough said).
There is no reason for this. The students do not have to know every thought in your head nor every detail about your past. Talking about drugs in a general cultural way is one thing. Admitting to being (or even having been) a pothead or something is simply not necessary. You are not going to MARRY these people. We're just here to teach them.
Years ago, I had at one point tried pretty much any drug that came my way, and that's saying quite a lot - I was a rock and jazz musician for a living. But "Did you ever try drug, teacher?"
"Oh, of course not. Very dangerous. Bad for your health."
Lie like a rug. What possible harm could it do? Match that against the possible harm in crossing a cultural (or even legal) line. Again, talk about it all you want, but if you have any doubt whatsoever about the appropriateness of something that comes up, err on the side of caution. Why do so few people understand this? I've lost track of the number of teachers I've seen or known of who got sacked over this sort of thing.
That said, I have hosted discussions about any number of taboo topics. It's all a matter of how you handle it. Treat the students with respect, that's all you have to do...but if you are ever in doubt; if you ever find yourself asking anyone, "Can I talk about this" or "can I say that?" then there's your answer. Don't do it.

[tedkarma]

I agree with Gregor - on almost every point.

You just don't know when these things will pop up and bite you in the butt. My personal life and history are mine alone - and I don't even share ALL of it with my closest friends. Not necessary.

[sheeba]

[Frontline]

Gregor is wise.