GRrrrrrrrr!!! It's been a year and I'm still caught off guard by the culture shock in this country!!! When you talk to some British teachers they say this country is going to pot - Today the kids reminded me of this. There are just so many children that take things for granted and "can't be bothered". Even the nice kids have this school culture where they don't care if they get an education - they don't see education as something they have to work towards rather than be given. There's a thing about good teaching called motivation but I'm at my wits end with the majority of my kids. It really feels like school's compulsory here.
What I like about teaching is helping kids achieve their goals and motivating them to aspire for excellence. Here in England teaching is about making kids learn and forcing them to try new things... it's such a weird cultural norm. I think some of these rude, disrespectful hooligans should perhaps fall on their faces - and then when they see the unhappy alternative perhaps pick up their education once again. One problem I see is that too many people rely on government assistance - and this is the loophole for not having to make an effort in secondary school.... For example kids that don't do well in class don't want to get extra help or one to one tuition outside of the lesson - even when it's free and I'm giving up my free time. They refuse to come or just don't show up. What a fair trade to give give give only for students to treat it like a chore or be rude about it????
I just don't get this place!
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3 comments:
Hey Steve,
Sorry to hear some of your students are being so flippant about their responsabilities. Obviously you did classes in Canada as well - do you really think there's that much of a cultural difference in attitudes towards education? We've all met plenty of people growing up who are just as dumb about it - s'funny though I remember getting an earful from a British student when I was at Pearson about how much more she felt they did in her proper British education....but then I never liked her anyway ;).
From some of the coaching I've done, I have a glimmer of that really great feeling you can get from collaborating with your pupils and helping them achieve success - when they're willing to work for it. My best experience was in 2004 coaching track & field - I did it again this summer and the will from the kids just wasn't there - definitely frustrating.
Hey so confirm your mailing addy for me will you?
Head up young person.
Take care - Stew
ha. I'm feeling the opposite problem almost! my kids ALWAYS want extra help to the point where I am staying at the school until at least 5 oclock every day working with kids.. not getting to eat lunch, etc. Of course its a great thing because the kids want to learn but man! It takes a lot of hours to plan in time for everyone! I guess its good to read your blog though because it'll make me appreciate it more. At least you have offered them help.. thats all you can do really right?
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