Job Discussion Forums

[St Vitus]

Isn't it a great shame how the youth teaching publication which has a monopoly out here is the LTIE/Studio Classroom series? Rather than educating young learners and heightening their awareness of English speaking countries, it is the sententious work of would-be missionaries, trying to enforce Christianity upon young Taiwanese kids.
I can't believe this crap has been so successful. What does everyone else think? Does anyone have any ideas for something decent which can rival this third rate teaching resource?

[surrealia]

You asked for something to rival the tame Studio Classroom/LTIE materials? How about Taboos and Issues by Richard MacAndrew and Ron Martinez?

This book covers ground that the forementioned magazines wouldn't go near. Here's the table of contents:

Death, Nudity. Politically incorrect jokes, Taboo conversation topics, It should be banned!, Not my type, Sex for sale, Swearing, Torture, Sexual harassment, Bribery and corruption, Designer babies, Children who kill, Gays and jobs, Animal rights, Marriage - for better or for worse, Nobody needs a gun, The sale of human organs, AIDS, Telling lies, Abortion, National stereotypes, Cheating on your partner, Are you happy with your body?, Immigration and racism, Changing sex?, Is this news?, The right to die, Old enough to be her grandfather!, Big Brother is watching!, Anxiety and depression, Gay families, Begging, Compensation culture, Sport and money, Vanity, Legalising drugs, Turning the other cheek, The death penalty, Addictions

As you can see, the authors made a bold effort to include topics that are usually avoided in most coursebooks. I should add that each topic has 2 pages of photocopiable material, including texts, language work, and discussion questions. I have used this book with my 20-something students, and they really enjoyed it. However, you might want to start out with some of the less outrageous topics before taking a walk on the wild side, so you don't end up with a bunch of students who look like this:



For more details on this book go to:

http://www.teflfarm.com/teachers/reviews/winners/1/taboos.htm

Note: This book is NOT available at Caves Bookstore, but you can get it through Amazon.co.uk

[St Vitus]

I had the pleasure of using Taboos and Issues whils teaching adults. The core content of the publication would be totally inappropriate for kids/teenagers.

[MixtecaMike]

[Taylor]

Dear Original Poster,

I recall you made a similar post a few months ago which received no response.

I wish to address the comments you made.

First of all, the Studio Classroom series in NO way has a monopoly. When I left Taiwan in May 2003, there were over 30 choices of monthly magazines for English learners. (There are even more now, I presume.)

Second of all, there is virtuallly NO Christian content in the magazines now. Are you using old issues from 1998 and before??? If you feel that Britney Spears is more along the needs of your class, then by all means find something about her.

There are plenty of choices available. Singling out one only makes you look petty and unprofessional.

Sincerely,

C. Taylor
[email protected]

[surrealia]

Anyway, now that this item is at the top of the list once again, I would like to recommend some other materials I use with my late teen/early 20's classes. It's Magazine has some really interesting stuff for younger students that are not nearly as racy as the Taboos and Issues stuff, but definitely more interesting than Studio Classroom. I use some articles from their magazines, but I prefer the packs of material they sell separate from the magazine, such as Feedback and Let's Get Personal. These packs have handouts covering a wide range of topics, and some include CDs.


For more information, go to: http://www.its-open.com

[St Vitus]

I welcome Taylor's response although I take Umbridge to being dubbed, "Petty and unprofessional."
I would like to ask the person in question what s/he would suggest as a viable alternative. As far as I can tell, the Studio Classroom series is poor and dominates the airwaves, as well as the magazine shelves. Why is this the case? I have not come across an issue older than a few months. There is no doubt that many of the recent articles have a sententious Christian element. The fact that the magazine is packed with adverts asking students to join their teachers in Bible Studies classes would suggest to me that the "teaching" of English language is not the sole purpose of these publications.

[Taylor]

Dear St. Vitus,

Without knowing your students, it would be impossible for me to make an informed suggestion regarding materials.

A standard ESL textbook might be a better choice than using magazines anyway. (I would rarely have a class in which everyone had his/her own current issue.)

If you are set on using a magazine, EZ Talk or EZ Basic would be the first ones to come to mind. Also, I recall a series titled something like "Live! ABC Interactive." (Their CD-ROMs were quite entertaining.)

In your original post, you stated that a goal of a magazine should be "heightening (students') awareness of English speaking countries." As I am sure you realize, Christianity is the predominant religion of America, England, Australia, Canada, and New Zeland.

There is no Taiwanese law that prohibits Studio Classroom from including Christian content. Also, the free market is alive and well in Taiwan. Have you not seen at least 30 other choices of magazines? (They are out there!)

In conclusion, most teachers feel that junior-high students in Taiwan are the most depressed and DEPRESSING groups they have ever taught.

Maybe gaining a bit of perspective on religion isn't so bad for them, after all.

Best wishes in your teaching.

Sincerely,

Clint Taylor
[email protected]

[St Vitus]

Oh well, the Texan has spoken with words which wouldn't be out of place in a speech by the Rev Dubya himself!
No, there's no law here prohibiting such material but it's still inappropriate. Religion and politics ought to be omitted from English teaching publications for young learners. The Christmas editions of Studio Classroom were in the style of a fake-tanned, Italian suit wearing American TV evangelist. Considering the enormous decline in church attendance in most western countries over the last half century, it is a fallacy to assume Christianity is a reflection upon the culture of English speaking countries. As I hail from a country which is now multi-cultural, it is quite preposterous to think that a few smug American publishers should try to enforce their beliefs upon children who mainly follow different religious traditions. There's a time and place for religion and it's not in the classroom or in English teaching materials. this ubiquitous publication should be ditched in favour of something better!

[Taylor]

Dear St. Vitus,

You seem to strongly support freedom of religion and expression--as long as it supports your personal views.

Your last post included all of the following terms: "inappropriate, ought to be omitted, preposterous, smug, should be ditched....." These are ALL your personal opinions.

Freedom of opinion and expression works both ways. Obviously, you are free to write or say whatever you wish. Likewise, the publishers of "Let's Talk in English" have the same rights to decide which topics they include.

Must I repeat myself? There are DOZENS of other choices out there!

Happy New Year and Best Wishes teaching Junior High kids--you will need it!

Sincerely,

C. Taylor

[trukesehammer]

Like the Good Saint Vitus, I've also wondered about the LT / SC / E4U magazine "monopoly" out here, but for different reasons. The Christian content doesn't bother me so much but something far more irritating.

Call me oversensitive, call me "politically correct," but howcum it's always the same grinning white dudes from cover-to-cover? I am especially getting SICK of seeing Jeff Locker's mug everywhere. It's bad enough to listen to him butcher both the English and Chinese languages on ICRT!

Where are the black people? Or the Mexicans? Or the Indians? Howcum it's always JEFF LOCKER - jeff locker - JEFF LOCKER?

Take the keys and lock him up, already!

[St Vitus]

Thanks for the contributions guys! It's always fun to have a good debate now and again. I guess I've been using this discussion board as a sounding board as I hated having to use Studio Classroom by order of the management. Teachers' input into the texts used is a case in point and worthy of a new discussion. My work in Taiwan is now over and part of my dismay arose from the large number of schools with "set programmes." In my experience this meant a perfunctory attempt to devise something resembling a syllabus by a total moron! Yeah, I'm bitter and twisted and this sentiment perhaps should form the basis of another discussion. I'd love to return one day but only if there are good jobs available. My knowledge of buxibans and kindergartens is that they place little emphasis on the teacher doing what s/he is supposed to do - teach!
I'm looking for enlightenment because there is no doubt in my mind that apart from my unfortunate teaching experiences, Taiwan is a place worth visiting. Is is a pplace that's worth living and working in?