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Those who can do...

 
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SpanishFly



Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 31
PostPosted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 1:23 pm    Post subject: Those who can do... Reply with quote
What do you all think of the saying " Those who can , do . Those who can't , teach ? "
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Mouse



Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Posts: 208
PostPosted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 1:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I think it's a very good way of trolling teachers' forums. Very Happy

I prefer "Those who can, teach" but there's no prize for guessing why.
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anthyp



Joined: 16 Apr 2004
Posts: 1320
Location: Chicago, IL USA
PostPosted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 5:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Very amusing. And unfortunately it seems accurate regarding the majority of TEFLers I've met. But there are plenty of us (mostly young and idealistic) who still look at this as a way of furthering our dreams, and making a valuable contribution in this life. Hey I have to post this crap here because they would laugh at me back in the China forum.
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SpanishFly



Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 31
PostPosted: Sun May 02, 2004 6:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I think teaching English is an important profession. What is there weren't any English teachers ? All English speaking countries as a whole would become redundant in the world market . No ?
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SEndrigo



Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Posts: 437
PostPosted: Fri May 07, 2004 5:48 am    Post subject: Re: Those who can do... Reply with quote
SpanishFly wrote:
What do you all think of the saying " Those who can , do . Those who can't , teach ? "


that might be true for a small percentage of TEFL teachers, but I don't think that's the case for most.

This also depends on location, unfortunately, there seem to be more backpacker "teachers" in Spain than in other countries, such as Saudi Arabia or Japan.

If you want to be a good teacher, you will be....and you'll make a positive influence on people's lives.

Don't listen to people who put down the profession, they're obviously bitter and have misguided values in life. Sure, money's important, but so is being able to get up in the morning and say "I'm going to do something good for society."

This sounds idealistic but I assure you it's not....

best wishes
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Mouse



Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Posts: 208
PostPosted: Sat May 08, 2004 11:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Do we do something good for society, really? I mean, doctors, nurses, aid workers, lawyers, they all change peoples lives for the better (the lawyers comment was a joke)... we just help people learn a language a little more quickly... don't we? (Devil's Advocate here)
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anthyp



Joined: 16 Apr 2004
Posts: 1320
Location: Chicago, IL USA
PostPosted: Sat May 08, 2004 2:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Mouse wrote:
Do we do something good for society, really? I mean, doctors, nurses, aid workers, lawyers, they all change peoples lives for the better (the lawyers comment was a joke)... we just help people learn a language a little more quickly... don't we? (Devil's Advocate here)


Well, maybe, Mouse. Maybe that's how you feel over there in Spain. But in China I think it's a little different. Our students adore Western culture, strive to learn as much about it as they can, and we give that to them ... not just the language, but a different way of thinking, of feeling, of living. I know it's hopelessly idealistic to expect to make a real difference in your students' lives, but I believe it's possible to do so, if you try, and if they want you to ... maybe that is not so easy to do over there, but here you know what you mean to your students, and how much they have learned from you, not just about the language, because, most often, they tell you.
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Mouse



Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Posts: 208
PostPosted: Mon May 10, 2004 8:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I was just about to say that I was only playing devil's advocate, anthyp, but actually, I'm not entirely convinced that I was. I've taught Asian students (mostly Chinese, but also Korean, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, etc) both in university in the UK and in two different schools in New Zealand, and I'll agree that they certainly shower you with love. I don't know necessarily that their "love of Western culture" is the reason, perhaps in my case I was just a friendly face when they were away from home. I've had wonderful students both here and in Italy, as well... We've had deep philosophical/religious/political discussions, we've had plenty of fun, dare I say we've even improved our language skills... but I would question whether I've had a truly profound effect on their lives (what am I talking about?! Of course I have! Very Happy ). Couldn't students learn English equally well, and that "different way of thinking, of feeling, of living" by travelling or working in another country. I like my job. I might even be good at my job. But to say that the world needs my job, or that it's somehow important? I'm not quite convinced (but I'm ready to be).
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