Job Discussion Forums

[Elicit]

I have taught young learners pre-Celta for several months in an extremely poor country. When engaging the students� interest in a subject it was extremely easy to do with a minimal amount of realia etc. As the first foreigner to teach in this particular school, perhaps I myself was enough to grab their interest and attention. The discipline in this state school was quite strict, so maybe this also contributed to the ease in which the children�s attention was held.

I have become aware through reading several posts on this forum that religion, politics and history are subjects to avoid in an Indonesian English teaching classroom. No political election debates for upper-int students here then! Suits me.

Considering the students� moderate Islamic beliefs and the Indonesian culture, are there any further subjects that it would be wise to give a wide berth?

I would in addition be interested to receive some advice on current trends and interests of Indonesian students. This applies to all ages but especially younger learners. Is the American music culture upon them? I am a believer that to produce effective lessons the material has to be as relevant as possible to the students. Considering the base of your students, what supplementary lesson material did/would you bring with you or source in-country?

[malu]

Religion, politics and history are not subjects to avoid because they are taboo subjects but rather because many of the students have no interest in them. If you read the online version of the Jakarta Post for a few weeks you'd end up better informed about Indonesian politics than virtually any tenth grader I've ever taught.

Also, don't assume that most of your students will be Muslim unless you are going to teach in a specifically Islamic school. Most schools that employ expat teachers have at least as many Buddhists and Christians on their roll as Muslims.

Student interests? Playing computer games, Twitter, cell phones, going to the mall, celebrity sex scandals. Just about covers it for most. Some may be involved in sports.

[jef dam]

Nail on the head Malu. Add sleeping and Justin Beiber to that list and it's as definitive as you can make it.

Re: getting and keeping their attention; I've found anything thats even thinly disguised as a game will buy you a few minutes, but don't count on it. Your best bet is to build as good a relationship with the kids as possible.

[malu]

Sorry, I forgot Justin Bieber.