Job Discussion Forums

[jesszilla]

Glenski, could you recommend some references that give more info on the type of teacher training that JTEs receive? As an ALT, I think that would be extremely helpful.

[fluffyhamster]

Had an interesting conversation the other day:

JTE: Fluffyhamster-sensei, how do you answer this? 'Which dress do you like better?' In the class, I will show a red, and blue.

Me: Hmm...I like the red one better; I prefer the red one. Something like that.

JTE: 'I like THE red better'? Can I not use 'the'? I think it is too difficult for the students...I want to make it easier. How about, 'I like red better'?

Me: The question was more about dresses than just colours. Trust me, 'I like the red (one (better))' is more natural than 'I like red (*one better)' (though you could of course follow that up with 'so...the red one it is!' LOL), in this context.

JTE: But I want it to be easy! 'The' makes it difficult...

Me: (getting a tiny bit exasperated) Well, if you use 'the', you might actually end up teaching or showing the students something - I mean, the use of articles is something they'll need to get used to. Think of it as "input"...plus, you yourself used (had to use) 'a red' rather than just 'red' just now, right?



BTW, for anyone new to the forums and reading this thread in the future, Jesszilla did get some replies to her question, but on another thread:
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=32498

[mrjohndub]

Oh, thank God.

I'm still reading.