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nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

Im involved in a discussion about the above on another forum (pertaining specifically to China) and I am wondering about the approach and ideas on this topic in EFL classrooms around the world.

Some people think that topics such as Tibet, Tianamen and Taiwan should be encouraged in a classroom and a teacher isnt doing the students justice by avoiding sensitive issues, as it doesnt allow them to develop skills of critical thinking. Some people disagree of course, and think teaching language and teaching topics are often different things.

So Im keen to know the view of teachers around the world, in different contexts with different sensitive topics.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 7:01 pm Post subject:

Think we've had this before a few times. My tuppence worth: we don't usually teach critical thinking skills anyway, and even if we did this could be effected without resort to problem topics; language teaching/learning does not benefit from using inappropriate or offensive topics; could be illegal to engage in such topics; learners have enough of a cognitive load dealing with language without over-burdening them with politics too.

I really have to wonder how any teacher can seriously maintain that it is their role to present, or rather foist, controversy upon learners...

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Game, set, and match.

johnslat · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 8:01 pm Post subject:

Dear johntpartee,

But . . . but wouldn't one have to be a "critical thinker" to appreciate fully the majesty of Sasha's argument?

Regards,
John

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Precisely.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 9:34 pm Post subject:

Ecck! You should hear me when I'm sober! Circero, Aristotle, Plato, even Marcus Aurelius, all rolled into one hic! It's all dialectical... yes hic

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 9:46 pm Post subject:

You couldn't possibly understand..because I haven't moulded your minds and led you into the glories of dialectical materialism. See? You just haven't learnt how to think yet. Hic! You're still wage slaves, but help is at hand. I'll teach you Russian and then you'll see how our superior way of life is what's been missing from your backward capitalistic culture all these years hic!

For those without a keenly developed sense of satire, the above was satire. A poor example, but all the 'critical thinking' argument deserves. hic...Aimed at the cultural pretensions of those who deceive themselves into believing that they are in a language classroom to help learners think or form opinions hic!