tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520017628666989475.comments2012-04-24T04:24:52.306-04:00Seeking El DoradoEricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12042385757154431516noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520017628666989475.post-30001029509021442502012-04-24T04:24:52.306-04:002012-04-24T04:24:52.306-04:00None of my French teachers were native speakers, t...None of my French teachers were native speakers, though there is some grey area with a couple who learned French at a very young age. I disagree that language has to be taught by native speakers, and I think there would be a lot less language learning in the world if that had to be the case. The key is to be at least close to fluent and to have excellent pronunciation, which I am not/do not in French and which many of my colleagues here, unfortunately, are not/do not in English. Vocabulary does not seem to me to be an insurmountable problem; that's why we have dictionaries. It's passing on grammatical errors and mispronunciation that's a problem. Would it be ideal to learn from native speakers all the time? Sure. But not being a native speaker does not in itself make one unqualified to teach a language. Being bad at that language makes one unqualified to teach it.<br /><br />What exactly is incorrect about calling high school students pupils?Ericahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12042385757154431516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520017628666989475.post-56834383442862815232012-04-04T15:30:22.290-04:002012-04-04T15:30:22.290-04:00I should add that I feel very strongly that native...I should add that I feel very strongly that native speakers should teach a language and I am always confused when people ask me if I'd want to be French teacher. The fact is that as a native speaker you just learn how to say all sorts of random shit that second language speakers just don't learn because it's usually not essential. The fact is that when you learn a new language there is no reason to know words like "music stand" or "ramparts" (words I've been asked about) if you are not interested in music or castles. Also I think it's hard to shake the habits you get from your mother tongue. I've heard teachers refer to high school students as pupils rather than students because French has the eleve/etudiant distinction.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520017628666989475.post-11693203486215900612012-04-04T15:23:13.256-04:002012-04-04T15:23:13.256-04:00There is indeed an exam (the CAPES or the AGREG). ...There is indeed an exam (the CAPES or the AGREG). I think the real problem is that languages are a use-it-or-lose-it kind of thing. So maybe some of these teachers were really good at English when they came back from being assistants or doing Erasmus in the U.K. but their English has declined in quality since then. I think this partially happens because they mostly speak English to their students and heck, I feel like my English gets worse from trying to speak it to me students. Also, the standards for the CAPES and the AGREG are (I think) based on how many positions need to be filled that year, so some years the standards may be higher or lower than others.<br />-TLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520017628666989475.post-18794273721311280712012-01-26T09:44:34.532-05:002012-01-26T09:44:34.532-05:00Re: Too-high expectations, I actually haven't ...Re: Too-high expectations, I actually haven't seen too much of that, and my students routinely exceed my expectations. I've seen individual teachers demand too much from individual classes or individual students, but I think the overall attitude (not Sarkozy's, mind you) is one that sets expectations that should be attainable by a majority of students who word hard and have good teachers. (The having good teachers part is obviously an issue in some schools.)Ericahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12042385757154431516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520017628666989475.post-25319734729366114572012-01-26T09:39:46.268-05:002012-01-26T09:39:46.268-05:00It's not possible to "optimize" lang...It's not possible to "optimize" language learning that way at the high school level (not everyone can have the same class first thing in the morning, and it's probably also not possible for everyone to devote more than two or three hours a week to a foreign language, especially when they're studying two at once), and I'm not convinced that should be a priority anyway. I think foreign language education is important, but I certainly wouldn't take away from math or science or history to focus on it. It's exposure that's key, and the kids who are properly motivated to learn will learn, regardless of the schedule. Although I applaud Sarkozy's sentiment, I think your teacher is correct that he's out of touch. The only way to produce bilingual kids through the school system is to teach (everything) in both languages. Which is also not going to be universally practical anytime soon.Ericahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12042385757154431516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520017628666989475.post-38319490614753517532012-01-24T16:48:50.227-05:002012-01-24T16:48:50.227-05:00Also, don't forget, my students at least are l...Also, don't forget, my students at least are learning two foreign languages at once and they only have English for two hours a week, often in a two hour block, which is the very worst way to learn a language. To optimize language learning, you need to have class four or five times a week and you need to have it first thing in the morning, before you've spent too much time thinking and talking in your native language. I really think the school system expects too much from these kids in terms of language learning without giving them the class-time necessary to achieve that level. According to one of the teachers at my school, Sarkozy has said that he wants students who graduate from high school to be bilingual. The teacher who told me this thought we should buy him a dictionary so he can look up what bilingual really means, because it's a completely impossible goal with a system that is structure this way. -TLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520017628666989475.post-42287100012944962182011-12-06T11:52:10.890-05:002011-12-06T11:52:10.890-05:00I actually really enjoy going to the supermarket a...I actually really enjoy going to the supermarket and figuring out what everything is most of the time. Today, however, I made a large and costly error and bought actual shea butter, instead of lotion containing shea butter. It's really waxy and weird.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520017628666989475.post-47339503010831376532011-10-13T13:16:34.849-04:002011-10-13T13:16:34.849-04:00Thank you for the history lesson! Glad there are ...Thank you for the history lesson! Glad there are some redeemable aspects even if it's not perfect. Can't wait to see photos.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520017628666989475.post-62217563935031052232011-09-27T19:03:09.024-04:002011-09-27T19:03:09.024-04:00Erica, I'm sure you'll be a fantastic teac...Erica, I'm sure you'll be a fantastic teacher! But don't expect to be perfect when you walk in the door-- In my experience, intitially teaching is kinda terrifying. But it gets better! So much better that it can actually be fun. <br />I think this just might reflect my deep levels of insecurity, but I've always found that before I go into a new classroom (be it college or elementary students) I need to consciously remind myself that I am smarter, older, and more powerful than my students. I am the authority figure in the room and no one can get to me unless I let them. The worst times are when I get flustered, and sadly those are naturally the times when it is most useful to keep my cool. If you act confident and calm, most of the kids will automatically respect you and fall in line. Once a routine gets established, you'll be fine...I know you'll totally kick ass, so good luck with the packing and be well my friend! ~ChristinaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520017628666989475.post-92059477933828726772011-01-05T16:20:04.433-05:002011-01-05T16:20:04.433-05:00"...and never touch his berries." I have..."...and never touch his berries." I have rarely lol'd in the literal sense, but that was pretty damn close.<br /><br />Also my personal favourite margin notes:<br /><br />“The rest of Europe stopped playing bagpipes. They realized that it sounds like you’re strangling a cat.”<br /><br />“If you go into Waterstone’s there’s a whole shelf dedicated to the Celts, because Celts are sexy.”<br /><br />“Y’all gotta go to Youghal!”Sarahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520017628666989475.post-74707764638240291142010-10-02T07:48:42.309-04:002010-10-02T07:48:42.309-04:00Wow!! I am learning so much about my cousin here i...Wow!! I am learning so much about my cousin here in these blogs!! You amaze me!!! Keep up the hard work on all the instruments, it will pay off...when you get back home and come in for a visit to NC, I want to be there.....Can't wait for the next blog!! Oh, and by the way, I like the ingenuity....it's a gift, and it works well for you...:-)Take care of yourself...Love ya, Kathy Hines...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520017628666989475.post-55955874214211996122010-08-22T01:34:10.925-04:002010-08-22T01:34:10.925-04:00That's probably a good conclusion to draw... b...That's probably a good conclusion to draw... but you make it sound like this was a bad experience. Now you DO know where you are, you DO know where you want to go, and you have an adventure and a story. I think one of the best things to do when you arrive somewhere new is to get lost as soon as possible.TomFooleryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18297492057367854227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520017628666989475.post-5427744684915301412009-07-18T06:41:39.746-04:002009-07-18T06:41:39.746-04:00Sounds so cool. Whoever thought you'd be chasi...Sounds so cool. Whoever thought you'd be chasing monkeys through a jungle. Enjoy!<br /><br />StaceyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520017628666989475.post-85384517216602079562009-07-18T01:40:04.309-04:002009-07-18T01:40:04.309-04:00I'm so jealous that you got to go to Tikal! I...I'm so jealous that you got to go to Tikal! It sounds amazing, except for the getting-wet part. You're going to post pictures, right? It's really fun for me to hear a little bit about what these ruins are actually like, since I have such vivid memories of studying the Maya in fifth grade. (I actually had to write a journal entry from the point of view of a priest from Tikal.)<br /><br />-Thalia<br /><br />P.S. What happened to your ankle? Did I miss that? Are you okay?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520017628666989475.post-13091448511924853292009-07-16T01:38:39.272-04:002009-07-16T01:38:39.272-04:00I'm a little too tired to put together a coher...I'm a little too tired to put together a coherent comment right now, but I wanted to let you know I enjoyed reading your blog. I'll be interested to hear how Guatemala is.<br /><br />ThaliaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4520017628666989475.post-70706899447661125742009-07-13T08:44:20.840-04:002009-07-13T08:44:20.840-04:00Erica:
I'm reading so you can add me to your ...Erica:<br /><br />I'm reading so you can add me to your dad as your fan base. I'm jealous, of course. I would love to be in Central America doing archaeology stuff. I've never done anything archaeological due to my arachnophobia so there is that.<br /><br />Stay safe and don't fall anymore. That could be bad.<br /><br />Stacey (Alderfer, that is)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com