Job Discussion Forums

[pest2]

Hi, paroting, or getting students to repeat exactly what you say, seems really common in at least some schools in Taiwan. Also, they (the students / parents / managers) really like it when you correct every single mistake a student makes. Both of these things run counter to the latest liguistic theories and methods of learning prescribed by those theories... on the other hand, you might argue that people here have already been conditioned to learn the old way and its actually still more effective for them.. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[BJ]

Parrot fashion learning is the way they learn at school, in every other class they have, SO yes they like it. Rote learning is the norm here, all the fine theories are worthless in most Asian countries as very few schools use modern practices.
One issue is that freedom of thought, expression, creativity is often stiffled in students. Even at University getting a student to answer a question without asking them directly is hard.
Get your feet under the table, understand what THEY want as a teacher - they are the boss afetr all - and when you are comfortable, the students like you, the etachers see you can do it THEIR way, start adding bits in the class, start asking questions, get them to think about songs, prepare there own work, then you start to see them shine and become creative, then youll feel like you have helped shape their lives.

Face is important here, saying they are wrong, or old fashioned is a slap in the face and you'll be in a lot of hot water. Again I suggest find your feet, know the terrain, plan the battle then charge ahead with your ideas.

[BigWally]

Read, lather, rinse, repeat.

[pest2]