I hope everyone will be able to read my blog. Google just informed me that I am a potential spammer and that I am under review and that someone will contact me with further details. Sounds so "big brotherish!" Anyway I will try to post my comments regardless.
I apologize ahead of time for any incoherent trains of thought I may jump on. I have been very busy with teaching, writing and reading for the comps and sometimes my mind wanders to the many subjects and projects I am currently involved in.
I can't believe that midterms are here. I am required to give a written midterms in all of my 5 classes, so I will be buried with essay exams next week at this time. In spite of that, I really enjoy working at ESLI. The students are so intersting. I know it is trite to say, but I really do learn far more than I ever teach. What I learn from them is usually along the "nonacademic" lines, but so interesting. For example, the other day one of my students from Thailand mentioned that it is so nice to be able to purchase Jasmine rice at HEB. I was surprised because Thailand is where Jasmine rice (my favorite!) is grown. I had assumed she could have Jasmine rice everyday in Thailand. My student imformed me that only the very wealthy people can afford it because nearly all of the rice is exported. Thus the average Thai person can only afford a very poor quality of grain. Little, everyday things like that that really open my eyes...
Of course there are the token slackers, but they really are the exception. It is very gratifying to work with students so eager to learn and succeed in school. I think that students are sometimes confused by my style of teaching. A lot of the students are used to a very traditional "banking" system of learning and I refuse to nitpick over inconsequential "errors". Learning should be about learning and practicing (if it relates to the craft of writing) not about ranking students' abilities. I think that it is impossible for one human being to assess the abilities of another. Naturally grading is the part of my job I hate the most. I wonder why humans love to rank or catagorize so much. It is so difficult to assess in one area and ignore abilities and qualities in a student. I guess all of this quantifying of ability is meant to streamline the papertrail...I am still thinking about this...
Naturally grading is the part of my job I hate the most. I wonder why humans love to rank or catagorize so much.
Few of us teachers do. But ever since "accountability" became a buzzword (as the result of the recent politicization of education), it's a process we've been stuck with. No Child Left Behind has virtually mandated it, but this of course pertains to K-12. But there has been a movement afoot to bring the same sort of accountability to higher education. Let's hope someone figures out a way to stall the monster.
I survived midterm week! Thanks to Hurricane Ike, we are running on a tight schedule. ESLI has strict rules about the number of class days that can be missed. To make a long story short we had one day to turn in grades after midterms were given. I feel a little frustrated because I teach writing and I always feel like I must justify the grades to the very best of my abilities and when I have very little time to do so I feel like my comments very hasty and general and thus not very helpful to the student. Oh well I think I did my best under the circumstances. It is interesting to deal with the perfectionist nature of some of the Asian students (another reason justifying grades thoroughly is so Important). Sometimes I wish I could explain to them that being easy on oneself is not a mortal sin. I am surprised that some of the students don’t keel over from stress, they are so focused on “the perfect score”. Most of the students see errors as learning processes in action, but some, I swear, act like the world is going to end because their scores weren’t perfect. All in all, I think things went pretty well. I am still studying for the comps, I can’t believe they are coming up so soon. I think I am ready. I really have no way of gauging whether I am or not. I have made it through most of the books and I will be studying over the weekend. I can’t wait until I am finished with them. This Damoclean sword is tiring at times!
Most of the students see errors as learning processes in action, but some, I swear, act like the world is going to end because their scores weren’t perfect.
I understand that in local high schools, some students treat their F's as badges of honor to show off to their peers -- as if to prove to their cohorts that they are cool dudes and dudettes for not caring. I would imagine their teachers can only envy you your position if they knew.
I am a bad blogger. I still can’t figure out why Google considered me a spammer. I just keep adding comments because when I try to access my Google account it tells me I am a spammer. When I try to create a new account, it says there is an account already connected to my email address! I am easily frustrated by this sort computer cat and mouse! I am also a bad blogger because I am posting late. Last night was my birthday and so the day was full of chaos (the good kind). I went out to dinner Thursday with some friends and then last night Richard and I went to dinner. One of my Vietnamese students made some braised short ribs and steamed rice which was divine. She is such a wonderful cook. I can’t say enough about how much I enjoy my students. I feel so blessed to have a job that allows me to interact with so many perspectives every day. We have had some of the most enlightening class discussions recently. The other day the students got into a discussion about how pathos functions in religion. It was so fun to sit back and listen to all of the insights that this group contributed. Some of the students are Buddhist, two are Muslim, the rest are some denomination of Christianity (I think). It was so interesting to not only see how they graciously helped each other formulate very complex ideas into English, but also how they understood the nature of persuasion and how it related or not to their religion. I am not a sentimental person by nature, however I find myself dreading the end of the semester because the students will move on to the university or to another level in ESLI or go back to their countries. Since I have a bit more time (the comps are over!!!) I am going to plan a party for them before Thanksgiving. I hope give back in some small way all that the students have given me. It sounds sappy I know, but even the slackers contribute Working with ESL students is by far the most rewarding job I have ever had.
Maybe, we can have one of our technology savy members see if they can help you resolve the spam issue. I wish that I was more adept at resolving these tech issues. However, we can still read your blogs.
From what I've read from individuals who teach ESL classes, they share some of your similar experiences. It must be rewarding to witness these moments, where the students from different cultures share their various perspectives on religion and other issues. I wonder what ESLI teachers and students have to offer to individuals attempting to understand how our global community can work together. I believe they have a lot to offer.
10 comments:
I don't think you need to "invite" anyone, Chelsea. No problem getting here for me. Let's see if "comments" works.
Yep...it works.
thank you Kent. I hope everyone else is able to access it.
I hope everyone will be able to read my blog. Google just informed me that I am a potential spammer and that I am under review and that someone will contact me with further details. Sounds so "big brotherish!" Anyway I will try to post my comments regardless.
I apologize ahead of time for any incoherent trains of thought I may jump on. I have been very busy with teaching, writing and reading for the comps and sometimes my mind wanders to the many subjects and projects I am currently involved in.
I can't believe that midterms are here. I am required to give a written midterms in all of my 5 classes, so I will be buried with essay exams next week at this time. In spite of that, I really enjoy working at ESLI. The students are so intersting. I know it is trite to say, but I really do learn far more than I ever teach. What I learn from them is usually along the "nonacademic" lines, but so interesting. For example, the other day one of my students from Thailand mentioned that it is so nice to be able to purchase Jasmine rice at HEB. I was surprised because Thailand is where Jasmine rice (my favorite!) is grown. I had assumed she could have Jasmine rice everyday in Thailand. My student imformed me that only the very wealthy people can afford it because nearly all of the rice is exported. Thus the average Thai person can only afford a very poor quality of grain. Little, everyday things like that that really open my eyes...
Of course there are the token slackers, but they really are the exception. It is very gratifying to work with students so eager to learn and succeed in school. I think that students are sometimes confused by my style of teaching. A lot of the students are used to a very traditional "banking" system of learning and I refuse to nitpick over inconsequential "errors". Learning should be about learning and practicing (if it relates to the craft of writing) not about ranking students' abilities. I think that it is impossible for one human being to assess the abilities of another. Naturally grading is the part of my job I hate the most. I wonder why humans love to rank or catagorize so much. It is so difficult to assess in one area and ignore abilities and qualities in a student. I guess all of this quantifying of ability is meant to streamline the papertrail...I am still thinking about this...
Naturally grading is the part of my job I hate the most. I wonder why humans love to rank or catagorize so much.
Few of us teachers do. But ever since "accountability" became a buzzword (as the result of the recent politicization of education), it's a process we've been stuck with. No Child Left Behind has virtually mandated it, but this of course pertains to K-12. But there has been a movement afoot to bring the same sort of accountability to higher education. Let's hope someone figures out a way to stall the monster.
I survived midterm week! Thanks to Hurricane Ike, we are running on a tight schedule. ESLI has strict rules about the number of class days that can be missed. To make a long story short we had one day to turn in grades after midterms were given. I feel a little frustrated because I teach writing and I always feel like I must justify the grades to the very best of my abilities and when I have very little time to do so I feel like my comments very hasty and general and thus not very helpful to the student. Oh well I think I did my best under the circumstances. It is interesting to deal with the perfectionist nature of some of the Asian students (another reason justifying grades thoroughly is so Important). Sometimes I wish I could explain to them that being easy on oneself is not a mortal sin. I am surprised that some of the students don’t keel over from stress, they are so focused on “the perfect score”. Most of the students see errors as learning processes in action, but some, I swear, act like the world is going to end because their scores weren’t perfect. All in all, I think things went pretty well. I am still studying for the comps, I can’t believe they are coming up so soon. I think I am ready. I really have no way of gauging whether I am or not. I have made it through most of the books and I will be studying over the weekend. I can’t wait until I am finished with them. This Damoclean sword is tiring at times!
Most of the students see errors as learning processes in action, but some, I swear, act like the world is going to end because their scores weren’t perfect.
I understand that in local high schools, some students treat their F's as badges of honor to show off to their peers -- as if to prove to their cohorts that they are cool dudes and dudettes for not caring. I would imagine their teachers can only envy you your position if they knew.
I found an interesting article on teaching international students that you may want to take a look at http://ftad.osu.edu/Publications/intloral.html
I am a bad blogger. I still can’t figure out why Google considered me a spammer. I just keep adding comments because when I try to access my Google account it tells me I am a spammer. When I try to create a new account, it says there is an account already connected to my email address! I am easily frustrated by this sort computer cat and mouse!
I am also a bad blogger because I am posting late. Last night was my birthday and so the day was full of chaos (the good kind). I went out to dinner Thursday with some friends and then last night Richard and I went to dinner. One of my Vietnamese students made some braised short ribs and steamed rice which was divine. She is such a wonderful cook. I can’t say enough about how much I enjoy my students. I feel so blessed to have a job that allows me to interact with so many perspectives every day. We have had some of the most enlightening class discussions recently. The other day the students got into a discussion about how pathos functions in religion. It was so fun to sit back and listen to all of the insights that this group contributed. Some of the students are Buddhist, two are Muslim, the rest are some denomination of Christianity (I think). It was so interesting to not only see how they graciously helped each other formulate very complex ideas into English, but also how they understood the nature of persuasion and how it related or not to their religion. I am not a sentimental person by nature, however I find myself dreading the end of the semester because the students will move on to the university or to another level in ESLI or go back to their countries. Since I have a bit more time (the comps are over!!!) I am going to plan a party for them before Thanksgiving. I hope give back in some small way all that the students have given me. It sounds sappy I know, but even the slackers contribute Working with ESL students is by far the most rewarding job I have ever had.
Maybe, we can have one of our technology savy members see if they can help you resolve the spam issue. I wish that I was more adept at resolving these tech issues. However, we can still read your blogs.
From what I've read from individuals who teach ESL classes, they share some of your similar experiences. It must be rewarding to witness these moments, where the students from different cultures share their various perspectives on religion and other issues. I wonder what ESLI teachers and students have to offer to individuals attempting to understand how our global community can work together. I believe they have a lot to offer.
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