Job Discussion Forums

[Itsme]

[diana83709]

Think back to your university writing classes. Why not teach them analytical writing skills? It would help increase vocabulary and understanding of assigned literature readings.
Non-fiction writing is also something to consider. If they are competent writers, they could workshop in groups.
Just some ideas ....... Wish you the best whatever you decide!

[brsmith15]

I showed my students the film "Nanking" and then told them that when I visited the Museum to the Massacre, I felt a great weight over my shoulders as I entered the grounds.

I got a number of emails thanking me for it. But, like so many others have said, I don't know what it has to do with writing unless maybe you show the flick and then have them write their impressions.

[Buck Lin]

I see nothing wrong with telling them about Anne FRank. It is an example of a famous journal. Trouble is that they will think all journals need to express the bad things happening to someone. Most students in China know about the second world war. You won't have much success with the journal writing. They won't do it unless you give them a mark and then you will have to look at hundreds of journals that are all the same. They will simply copy each others journals.
A better idea is to have them keep a record of new words. Tell them how many words they need to pass their IELTS test or TOEFL. If they know 2000 words they are able to live in an English speaking country, if they know 16,000 words they can pass the TOEFL. It is also a good way for them to feel good about themselves when they are discouraged. When they feel they havn't learned anything they open the book and see how many words they learned last year.

[bearcanada]

I really have to agree with Katya84. What kind of personal agenda do you have, and what the hell are you thinking that you should educate Chinese about topics like that? What do you mean, it's something everyone should know about? Should everyone also know about the massacres in Palestine? Maybe teach them that, instead. I think you're way off base.

[taramisu]

Forgive me, but 'way off base' seems a little harsh. My intention is not to divulge an entire unit about the Holocaust, as I feel such a tragic event deserves more than just a couple of weeks. Maybe I was not descript enough, and I'm sorry, but my main reason for approaching this subject to begin with is the importance of diaries. The Diary of Anne Frank is, as one poster mentioned, an example of a famous journal. "Why teach that in an English class" you ask? Then why teach it in any class? Who cares what language it was written in? I don't think there's anything eurocentric about wanting to teach something that has the potential for positive impact.

There are plenty of things I did not learn about Chinese history, but I also did not study Chinese either. These students are not only studying the English language but also learning about the culture and change that comes along with it. What the hell AM I thinking, teaching Chinese students about a girl they may possibly relate to? Tragedy is tragedy, no matter how many people suffer, and never once would I even claim this event has more or less importance than any other country's historical atrocities.

I approach teaching negative subjects overall as taboo for myself, I'm still in the development process of learning who I am as a teacher. I know a lesson like this would be taking a huge step. I want to be able to introduce Anne Frank so my students can understand the gravity of the situation and to recognize the importance of her contribution, without overwhelming everyone, including myself. Sure, there's a huge possibility they won't understand its intensity without showing a movie like Schindler's List or the Pianist, but this story is about a young girl facing a lot of changes, something my 160 or so students can reflect in their own lives.

Why shouldn't they know about it? If they haven't, here's a perfect opportunity. Anyone studying Chinese deserves to know its history, just like my students would benefit from learning about Anne Frank. Maybe I answered my own question in the long run as I'm going to teach it anyway, small excerpts at a time (since that's all I have time for). Maybe I'll inspire them to do something that is crucial for anyone who has a connection with pen and paper.

And, please tell me the difference between a real teacher and a fake one. If my job isn't real then neither are my students; if that's the case then I must say their act is very deceptive.

[Buck Lin]

Tarimisu I agree 100% with you but I think what has happened to me and some of the other posters as caused us to become callous. I lived in Montreal and went to McGill. Every year I was forced to look at photos of the hollocaust, if I didn't look at them I was branded an anti semintic. I see German youths who tell me the same story about how
they too must feel remorse for this horrible time in history.
Do your thing and don't worry about it. No matter what you do in China you will be criticized. As the Chinese say, the view is better from the mountain top. Diaries are good but don't be discouraged when you read them and they are all the same.

[bearcanada]

If you want to teach Jewish history or Middle Eastern history, then go ahead. But stop telling us (and yourself, and your students) that this is "English History". It isn't. And the world is full of great tragedies, of which this is only one. The current war in Iraq is both a tragedy and a farce, with over 1 million dead in a useless war based on imaginary facts. You want a tragedy? Teach them about that.

Teach them about Vietnam, another useless war based on imaginary facts, one that killed several millions. Teach them about the great Ukraine famine that killed 20 million, or the great Indian famine orchestrated by the UK that killed many millions. Or what about the rape of Nanjing, or WW II?

My question remains: Its obvious you have a personal agenda, so what is it?