Job Discussion Forums

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:54 am Post subject:

Sorry Smokey, those sentiments are exactly like my newbie teachers who have no idea what they are doing and so blame their book. They can never specify why the books are so crap, though. Perhaps you can? And 'certain kind of student' - what kind?

Smokey Dando · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 19 Location: HONG KONG

I can assure you sweetheart that I am not like your 'newbie' teachers. Basically, these books are dull and unimaginative. In my opinion the activities do not appeal to learners in a consistent manner. Of course some may but the quality of the activities and exercises are not consistent throughout the books. Also, they may appeal/connect more or less to students depending on their different cultural backgrounds.

Cutting Edge is better but really it is just a basic coursebook. I really feel these kinds of coursebooks are mostly suitable for language mills. If you are trying to teach at a higher level I think any institute would be better off developing their own materials. Of course, in certain contexts coursebooks are good to use and supplement with additional materials. None of us want to spend our working days reinventing the wheel. However, I feel these books are the teaching equivalent to colouring by numbers.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 9:55 am Post subject:

I haven't been called sweetheart on this forum before, so thanks! However, while I take your point about the painting by numbers and have expressed similar thoughts here myself, I still feel that most newbie teachers who criticise books and blame them for all their own shortcomings as teachers are equally unimaginative and dull. Any course book needs to be adapted to fit a learning context and cultural background - or indeed learner level. This requires skill on the part of the teacher, which I have no doubt you possess too. Particularly, it is helpful to know what assumptions, learning and teaching principles etc. underlie the course book writers' course design. For institutes developing their own material, I shudder when I recall the appalling rubbish that was produced in nearly every university where I worked. There didn't seem to be any underlying principle at work at all.

It's easy to knock course books. The challenge is to come up with something better yourself. It is harder than most people think. It is far more effective to adapt a reasonably well thought out course book to the needs of a group.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 10:10 am Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I can't stand people who take dogs on public transport.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:48 pm Post subject:

Well, then. Scot...how does yer avatar get about?

NCTBA

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 8:44 am Post subject:

Student peeve: 'English is such a poor language, unlike our great Russian language'. I invariably manage to bite my tongue and resist retorting '..the way you speak it, that's true!', but sometimes the situation gets the better of me. Am I alone?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I can't stand these English Chauvinists who think 1966 was the year of the most significant football victory in World History.

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

I can't stand people who take dogs on public transport.

Thanks. You won't like travelling in the Czech Rep, Germany, or the Netherlands, then:)

Totally normal here. In restaurants, pubs, and many shops too.

If there is an occasional 'no dog' notice, I respect that, of course. I don't demand Full Access for All Dogs in All Cases.

This was a situation where the dog was allowed 12 times in the past, then the rules suddenly changed. I can take a train - my objection is to the sudden, unannounced rule change, stranding me in Nurnberg for 4 hours.

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 9:03 pm Post subject:

Generalizations - a major pet peeve of mine. On the Saudi board, there's a thread where posters are heaping disdain upon PhDs: ALL PhDs.

OK, I'm met some PhDoofuses in my time, but I've also known some darn good teachers with PhDs.

So, all together now: Generalizations are ALWAYS wrong (including, of course, that one.)

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

And I think "John" is a very common name. I am not happy about common people posting here.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 7:43 am Post subject:

What was that about Chauvinists again?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Them as well.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 11:24 am Post subject:

Russian student peeve: pronouncing 'a' as 'e'. E.g. 'and' becomes 'end'. Was charming at first, but now...... official peeve status!