Job Discussion Forums

[rusmeister]

[SueH]

[rusmeister]

[johnslat]

Well, I got curious and went to the dictionary:
Sex:
1: either of the two major forms of individuals that occur in many species and that are distinguished respectively as female or male especially on the basis of their reproductive organs and structures
2: the sum of the structural, functional, and behavioral characteristics of organisms that are involved in reproduction marked by the union of gametes and that distinguish males and females
3 a: sexually motivated phenomena or behavior b: sexual intercourse
4: genitalia

Gender:

1 a: a subclass within a grammatical class (as noun, pronoun, adjective, or verb) of a language that is partly arbitrary but also partly based on distinguishable characteristics (as shape, social rank, manner of existence, or sex) and that determines agreement with and selection of other words or grammatical forms b: membership of a word or a grammatical form in such a subclass c: an inflectional form showing membership in such a subclass
2 a: sex <the feminine gender> b: the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex

So, I'm not sure - are we squabbling about a distinction without any real difference (at least in some contexts) here.
And, speaking of context, doesn't it all really depend on that?

At any rate, it's certainly not something we had to worry about in Saudi, where any mention of sex OR gender was/is taboo.
Regards
John
P.S. I agree, though, that, of course, we ALL bring our particular prejudices, points-of-view, and beliefs in the classroom, teachers and students alike. So, especially in EFL, a wise teacher is going to scope out the general "lay of the land" regarding any proposed (and permitted) topic before he/she introduces said topic in class. In "touchy" situations, I'd likely never reveal my personal opinion about such a subject, but I might well mention it as one among many that people could hold.
Regards,
John

[rusmeister]

[johnslat]

Dear rusmeister,
Oh, I knew I'd hear about using a dictionary. But then, isn't that what a teacher could do in class if the definition of a topic word was a matter of dispute?
We teachers, of course, know better, but for many/most students, a dictionary is the "final word."
As for topics' arising spontaneously and teachers' reacting instinctively,
well, that's likely all too often the case among teachers newer to the EFL field. But I think that if one has been TEFLing for a while, one rather quickly learns to keep a tight rein on one's "instincts" - at least in Saudi, if you didn't, you were probably not long for the Kingdom.

[arioch36]

Rusmeister

[rusmeister]

[johnslat]

Dear rusmeister,
"People in countries of religious intolerance (like the US, where it is forbidden for public figures, such as public school teachers, to speak of their religious beliefs) might respond in less than a congenial fashion to a teacher speaking of multiculturalism, diversity and the necessity of tolerance (which of necessity excludes love) of all faiths and cultures, if they believe the attitudes of certain other cultures and faiths to be wrong and actually harmful."


"Teaching about religion: Public schools may not provide religious instruction, but they may teach about religion, including the Bible or other scripture: the history of religion, comparative religion, the Bible (or other scripture)-as-literature, and the role of religion in the history of the United States and other countries all are permissible public school subjects. Similarly, it is permissible to consider religious influences on art, music, literature, and social studies. Although public schools may teach about religious holidays, including their religious aspects, and may celebrate the secular aspects of holidays, schools may not observe holidays as religious events or promote such observance by students.

Student assignments: Students may express their beliefs about religion in the form of homework, artwork, and other written and oral assignments free of discrimination based on the religious content of their submissions. Such home and classroom work should be judged by ordinary academic standards of substance and relevance, and against other legitimate pedagogical concerns identified by the school.

Religious literature: Students have a right to distribute religious literature to their schoolmates on the same terms as they are permitted to distribute other literature that is unrelated to school curriculum or activities. Schools may impose the same reasonable time, place, and manner or other constitutional restrictions on distribution of religious literature as they do on nonschool literature generally, but they may not single out religious literature for special regulation.

General provisions: Student religious groups at public secondary schools have the same right of access to school facilities as is enjoyed by other comparable student groups. Under the Equal Access Act, a school receiving Federal funds that allows one or more student noncurriculum-related clubs to meet on its premises during noninstructional time may not refuse access to student religious groups.

Prayer services and worship exercises covered: A meeting, as defined and protected by the Equal Access Act, may include a prayer service, Bible reading, or other worship exercise."

http://www.ed.gov/Speeches/08-1995/religion.html

Now THAT'S what I call INTOLERANCE. Umm, ever been to Saudi?

Regards,
John

[ecocks]

Yeah, it's stretching a bit to classify the US as religiously intolerant. Where did that come from?

My high school, a public one, had 2-3 student christian groups and other groups' holidays (Jewish and Muslim) were always allowed. Many private schools hold services during school days which reflect the composition of their student body. Normal practice is to hold assemblies introducing Kwanza (sp?), Cinco de Mayo (Mexican Independence Day) and other cultural/religious events. A couple of hundred students received diversity training and actively sought out polarized student groups for inclusion in school society. Public figures forbidden to speak on their religious events? Our elected officials often attend religious activities as both speakers and participants. One of the Republican candidiates for President is an ordained minister and regularly speaks on religion. How exactly are you spinning that into intolerance?

[rusmeister]

[arioch36]

Rusmeister

[arioch36]

Rusmeister

[johnslat]

Dear rusmeister,
I'm also certified (Language Arts - Secondary), and I've taught public schools in Florida, New Mexico, Missouri and Kansas.

"I should say that the one thing that will not be tolerated in public schools is the idea that there are some beliefs/philosophies that should not be tolerated"


Now this is, in my opinion, wordplay for its own sake. Rather like saying. "The only people I'm prejudiced against are people who are prejudiced."
Moreover, in my experience of public school teaching, it's completely wrong.
If you really think that it won't be tolerated in public schools to put forth the idea that, say, devil worship or human sacrifice should not be tolerated, or any practice of any religion that is in direct conflict with the laws of the land (i.e. polygamy), well, you must have been teaching in some rather strange public schools.

"Public dogma at the moment embraces the idea that these desires spring from a natural state of being, something these religions deny; thus all of these modern controversies over what 'gender' a person is."

The majority of the "public" in the USA is opposed to "same-sex marriage"

"Same-Sex Marriage: Most Oppose It"

http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/us/Relationships/same_sex_marriage_poll_040121.html


"A teacher of one of these faiths told to teach tolerance and acceptance of these things would be fired or forced to quit, and would most certainly not be allowed to discuss their religion's point of view with their students, because they would have no choice but to teach it as the truth, not merely a quaint personal idea. The problem is that teachers are required to teach that faith is purely a personal opinion, and does not reflect cosmic truth."

I simply don't know what you are basing these generalized statements on.
Can you give me some examples of teachers who were "fired or forced to quit" after being "forced" to teach tolerance and acceptance (a completely ridiculous notion in itself - "Teach tolerance or you're fired; we won't tolerate intolerance regarding tolerance.")
And what the heck is wrong with being " required to teach that faith is purely a personal opinion . . ?" Faith, after all, IS a "belief", an opinion, and certainly not a scientific fact.
"Cosmic truth??" Whoa - phrases like that scare the bejesus out of me. Anyone who thinks he/she has the mainline to "cosmic truth" is, in MY opinion, suffering from a bad case of delusion and/or inflated ego.
Yes, most countries have a "predominant faith", but in Saudi ANY mention of a faith other than Islam is against the law. Now THAT'S what I would call intolerance.
Regards,
John

[rusmeister]