Job Discussion Forums

[almuze]

Howdy, all you "real" teachers out there!

From my perspective, primary school in America and primary school in Turkey are radically differnt experices. cultural expectations about behaviour, discipline, and even age appropriate learning are similar at best but most often totally totally differnt.

I realize there are some just dreamy schools out there, like Queen Frog, who appaerntly teaches where class sizes are manageable, has administrative support, and a guidance cousouler who is not over worked and cares about each child individually. Really, that is so great, these conditions would be dreamy in the States, too.

But I am not asking about wonderful dreamy expections. I am talking about generalizations, the cultural soup that we are swimming in. Generally, I think the educational differnces are vast and obvious.

But my question is this - maybe they are not? maybe the rest of the world is like turkey, using humiliation and militarty strictness? only the states are differnt? Those of you who grew up in Europe? anyway, any thoughts on this kind of general observation would be appreiciated.
ps- I also think that even if you went to Boston Public in the states, you would be hard pressed to find and American highschool class that acted like some of the class-from-hell stories that I have heard here.

[Bahcevan]

Almuze, are you sure that YOU are a "real" English teacher?
I couldn't help but wince at some of these-

"differnt" (2x!) = different

"experices" = experiences

"appaerntly" = apparently

"cousouler" = counselor

"differnces" (are you from the South?) = differences

"turkey (proper noun) = Turkey

"militarty" = military

"appreiciated" = appreciated

"find and American highschool class" = find an American highschool class


I know it's not nice to tease, but if you really ARE an English
teacher- you may want to edit like you mean it. We Americans
already have bad rap for not knowing this language, right
Britons? For the real state of affairs, read Hobo's brilliant
news article quote on the Governator's plans for our language!

[31]

''We Americans
already have bad rap.''

That should be ''have a bad rap.''

[Faustino]

Is rap countable or uncountable?

[queenfrog]

Well Almuze, mine may seem ''dreamy'' but that may be because I am in a small town instead of a big city. Here I am the only native speaker, so they have to care about me. Plus, I am so nice and charming it is hard not to like me. If you want a nicer school or better behaved children you have to go to a smaller city. I once worked in Kutahya, the school and students were perfect. Oh, the fond memories...

Now once again I find myself in a small city as the only native speaker. ''Dreamy''? Actually it is sometimes lonely. You can't reminisce with anyone about the beauty of your own country without possibly offending someone. So I put myself into my job and focus on the positive aspects of my job: supportive staff and principals, great guidance counselors, and wonderful students. One of my classes has only 3 students!! I love those kids.

[Bahcevan]

Yup, 31, you really showed me.