Job Discussion Forums

Griff-James · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 4:53 pm Post subject: Books for students

A colleague gives a book to the best student in each class she teaches.

I'm also considering doing this.

However, I'm concerned about cultural sensitivity! Shocked

What books are "safe"?

I'm especially intersted in books about poetry.

007 · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 5:51 pm Post subject:

Well, as far as the book does not contain anything listed in the Magic Kingdom's black list, you will be OK! Laughing

Who is going to pay for the book, you or the employer?

BTW, why did you duplicate your topic?

Neil McBeath · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 277 Location: Saudi Arabia

Griff-James,

First of all, let me say that I think this is an excellent idea, and I wish more people would do things like this.

So far as cultural acceptability is concerned, I would think that just about anything that you can buy inside Saudi Arabia would be OK. When I worked for BAE Systems in Dammam, there were two large bookshops (Jareer?) which stocked a fair range of graded readers and the authorities must have thought they were acceptable.

The censors generally seem to be far more concerned about illustrations than they are about text, so poetry ought to be no problem. We all know that songs are contentious with some holier-tan-thous in KSA, but I have never heard anything about a problem with poetry.

Citizenkane · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 234 Location: Xanadu

I would worry less about issues of 'cultural sensitivity' than about accusations of favoritism!

My advice: Steer clear of giving any sort of gift to students.

Neil McBeath · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 277 Location: Saudi Arabia

Thast is also an excellent point.

If the "best" student is clearly the one who received the highest marks in an examination which has been marked by other teachers, then you are in the clear.

Otherwise there is the issue of favouritism, and things can get very nasty - particularly if you have rancid minded colleagues. Frank McCourt relates an incident from a school in Staten Island that reflects no credit at all on one of his fellow teachers.

Chthon · Joined: 03 Jun 2009 Posts: 54

We actually have a policy against teachers giving items to students and students giving items to teachers. Knowing the nature of how students will go behind each others' backs, and how they will attempt to get "revenge" on teachers for giving them poor marks, I would advise against the giving of anything other than tests.

Citizenkane · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 234 Location: Xanadu

I agree.

I also worked in a place where the policy was not to take so much as a cup of coffee from students. Over time, I found that this policy actually protected teachers, particularly when you're working in private colleges where some students can offer pretty substantial bribes. Best to do away with all ambiguity by just banning gifts of any sort.

007 · Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:56 am Post subject:

Well, the best time to give gifts to your students (or your colleagues) is when you are issued with Exit-Only visa. And vice versa, your students may give you a gift as a souvenir from the citizens of the Magic Kingdom! Laughing

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 1:00 pm Post subject:

I think teachers need to be very careful about any form of gift giving/taking or socialising with students. Howver innocent it might seem to you, it may not seem that way to the students - or to your bosses.

I was once chatting with a former student, and remarked that a group of students had invited their teacher around for dinner. When I casually asked if she thought there just might be some 'ulterior motive' to the invitation, she gave me a "Well d'oh!" look and said "Of course, Miss! What else?"