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Blingcosa
Joined: 17 May 2008
Posts: 146
Location: Guangdong
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 Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:36 am Post subject: What to teach during Ramadan? |
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I am actually a teacher from NZ, but my students are all Muslim - Saudi, Somali, Djibouti, Afghan. My students tend to be older (40-55) but I do have a few under 25. It is a mixed class, and they are all fasting this month.
I have them from 9am-2.30pm. They really lack focus because they are hungry, thirsty and tired. What can I do with them for the next 29 days? |
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007
Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Posts: 2684
Location: UK/Veteran of the Magic Kingdom
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| Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 11:33 am Post subject: Re: What to teach during Ramadan? |
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| Blingcosa wrote: |
I am actually a teacher from NZ, but my students are all Muslim - Saudi, Somali, Djibouti, Afghan. My students tend to be older (40-55) but I do have a few under 25. It is a mixed class, and they are all fasting this month.
I have them from 9am-2.30pm. They really lack focus because they are hungry, thirsty and tired. What can I do with them for the next 29 days? |
Well, very simple! Just ask them to go to bed early and not miss their Suhur (pre-dawn meal). Also, advise them not waste their time in front of TV and ask them to do their homework instead!
The most important thing is to refresh their memory about the benefits of fasting on the health, and remind them about the period of the prophet (PBUH), were people were fasting and doing their jobs (even some were in battles) and were active.
Also, try to get them work in group (for example, discussing a hot topic like Ramadan and the West, Why people fast or Why Uncle Sam attacked Iraq!!! (be careful with this, you may end up in the hole!  ), so that they will not think about food or something else!
Try it and tell me about the results.
Good luck.
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King Cobra 007. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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I would say to teach whatever you normally teach, just have low expectations of performance. Since you are teaching adults, they should be better than the adolescents most of us teach... who seem to think that being up all night watching TV is required. Of course, in the Middle East there are always special programs that everyone wants to see. For the adults, there are also family obligations of tradition and hospitality that they follow.
I assume that you are teaching general ESL, but with all Muslims from different countries and traditions, you could certainly work topics related to Ramadhan into the conversation or writing... unless they are very elementary level. Another topic would be dealing with Ramadhan while living in a culture that doesn't change its schedule to make fasting easier. BTW... if you have men and women in the class, you may find that they will prefer working in same sex groups or pairs for the month. It is not just avoiding food, drink, and cigarettes, but avoiding unclean thoughts. Take their advice in this area.
You have the same students for a 5 hour stretch? Every day? I'd lack focus too. The good news is that it is just the first week or two that they are the worst. They adjust and perk up the last half of the month.
VS |
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trapezius
Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 1670
Location: Land of Culture of Death & Destruction
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| Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
Well, very simple! Just ask them to go to bed early and not miss their Suhur (pre-dawn meal). Also, advise them not waste their time in front of TV and ask them to do their homework instead!
The most important thing is to refresh their memory about the benefits of fasting on the health, and remind them about the period of the prophet (PBUH), were people were fasting and doing their jobs (even some were in battles) and were active. |
Don't bother with that. If they wanted to be good/proper Muslims, they would have done that on their own or upon the advice of scholars a long time ago. They are not going to change now, especially not upon the advice of an "infidel" teacher. And you can't change a country. Night becomes day and day becomes night with regards to TV, shops, cafes, malls, etc.
Just have low expectations, take it slow and easy, if they complan "but we are fasting", or "but we are sleepy/tired", then you can say something like "I have read that during the Prophet's time people used to carry on their activities while fasting, WITHOUT ACs, cars, etc, and even took part in battles... try that for a change!" And then just laught it off and continue teaching.
And pray the month passes by without much hassle. |
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Blingcosa
Joined: 17 May 2008
Posts: 146
Location: Guangdong
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| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 3:12 am Post subject: |
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Good advice so far but perhaps I need to be clearer. I am working in NEW ZEALAND. I am teaching Islamic students in a western country. I posted on the Saudi board because some of my students are Saudi and because I thought I would get replies from people who are most familiar with things Islamic.
Thanks for the great advice everyone. Keep it coming  |
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