Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 3:21 pm Post subject:

Dear newtogolf,
I'd say a sense of humor is a valuable asset in class - but you do have to "monitor yourself." Certain subjects (religion, politics, etc.) are probably better left completely alone, and you might want to run a humorous remark around in your head first rather than just blurting it out.
Gently ribbing the students is likely OK, but, as Pink Floyd put it:

"When we grew up and went to school, there were certain teachers who would hurt the children anyway they could
by pouring their derision upon anything we did
exposing any weakness however carefully hidden by the kids.

No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! Teacher! Leave them kids alone!"

And, given your example, I'd also suggest keeping it simple.

Regards,
John

GlobalDawg · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 91

A rule of thumb might be to assume that all of your students have wasta. In varying degrees they all have wasta. Anything that they may bring to the attention of administrators have a good chance of being investigated. Investigation may be informal and nothing to worry about--but you never know and there is no sense in putting yourself in a situation where you're always looking over your shoulder.

anaxiforminges · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 136 Location: UAE

seven seas · Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 65

Another tip- don't mention ANYTHING that any sheikh has done. Or might have done.

Ever.

anaxiforminges · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 136 Location: UAE

johnslat · Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 9:41 pm Post subject:

Dear anaxiforminges,

"Speaking of wasta, it looks like Torture Sheik's has run out..."

Don't be too sure - wasta like the Sheik's almost NEVER runs out.

"Nabulsi's Houston-based lawyer dismissed the Emirates' announcement of Issa's detention and the launch of the investigation against the sheik as "a farce," saying he doubted the case would come to trial.

Anthony Buzbee told The AP that he had offered to share with Abu Dhabi judicial authorities the testimony of three witnesses to the sheik's brutalities and more than two hours of video footage showing Issa torturing 25 people, but never heard back from any official.

"They claim to do a comprehensive investigation, but the truth is they have not done so and I don't expect them to," Buzbee said, speaking on the phone from the U.S. "Sheik Issa will never be prosecuted and the whole is a farce and a joke." "

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/11/uae-torture-video-sheikh_n_201619.html

ESL Hobo · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 262

Thanks for all the great insight.
Lots of tips I wouldn't have thought of, like not taking up computers, cell phones, not talking about family trees, careful about using words that may offend anyone: stupid, rude, etc. I guess using the term "Student Body" is out!
I look forward to reading anything else on the topic, this would make a great list to read over everyday for a few weeks when preparing to teach in UAE.
Thanks again Laughing

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Could some of you teaching there now talk about how you handle the problem of cell phone/mobiles/GSMs these days?

I had a very "strict" rule that if it rang in class, it became mine. I only had to kidnap one a semester and hold it a couple days... and that was that. During all exams, they had to be left on my desk and picked up after class.

My favorite story of a phone rule was, I believe, from AUC. The professor walked into the large class with a bucket of water and informed them that the first phone that rang would go into the bucket.

I wonder if it was urban legend.

VS

GlobalDawg · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 91

kiefer · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 268

anaxiforminges · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 136 Location: UAE

johnslat · Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 2:05 pm Post subject:

Dear kiefer,
Lewis Carroll's "Alice" books would likely also be very helpful. And "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller, as well.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

I tell them from the outset they can go outside, answer their phone, and I mark them absent. Their call, their choice, their decision. They decide what they want to do, they know what the consequences are, and they make the call.

Does it work well? Usually. However, I have students who try to play the "it's my mother/father card" I simply tell them they have time between classes to speak to their parents. If it's that important that it can't wait (at most) 50 minutes, then being marked absent is the least of their worries.

I don't get upset or angry or am disapproving - I make it clear that it is THEIR choice, not mine.

Although I have threatened to pour my bottle of water on cell phones that are ringing on my desk (where they deposit them for tests, with instructions to turn them off) - but I've never followed through Crying or Very sad

johnslat · Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 4:27 pm Post subject:

Dear helenl,
Probably not too good an idea to threaten something but never follow through. It undermines one's credibility. But I think that threat was an ill-advised one to begin with.
Regards,
John

seven seas · Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 65

I used to have a little pen with a little lightbulb that lit up if anyone within a 5-metre radius received an SMS....

Does coming to an agreement about this at the beginning of the course not work these days?

Shame. Actually there have been complaints about phones ringing in mosques- and people answering them in the papers.