tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post8283369067913546657..comments2024-03-26T06:07:35.453+01:00Comments on Kalinago English: Sandy McManus on Melanie ButlerKALINAGO ENGLISHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202016406865561740noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-42056119983799364982013-03-23T14:30:19.873+01:002013-03-23T14:30:19.873+01:00I'm glad there are resources like this, and wa...I'm glad there are resources like this, and was bummed to find that the blog mentioned here, http://teflpedia.com/The_TEFL_Tradesman is invite-only! I am currently doing a TEFL certification; my background is in the natural sciences and frankly I find that the very popular author/speaker/writer who wrote the book we are using, who is well-linked and cited at almost every TEFL/ESL/etc. resource site, and the various authors he cites and urges that we have to be familiar with, are full of it. It all just seemed to me...unbearably light and casual despite the pretenses of professionalism, despite the facade presented by the use of academical methods of writing and citation, and I've noticed that it is largely British influence, which makes sense given that English is a huge source of potential revenue for that tiny and wayward little island which is not exactly awash in opportunity or knowledge to go forward except, perhaps, through exploitation.<br><br />I would be incredibly upset, in that I signed-up for the course I am taking because I wanted to be able to show students and employers seriousness about teaching, rather than just being someone hoping to half-pretend-teach and travel; I studied up through hispanic linguistics in college, and am known to peruse volumes on Latin and Ionic Greek grammar, and seriously desire to approach languages and teach English rigorously. What I am finding, is that the book we're using is the most bloviated assemblage of writing I have ever encountered, so infuriatingly that reading a few tens of pages might cost me several hours, and my class "peers" can be divided into categories like: <br /><br /> (1) uncritical enthusiasts--they're all about "civility" where none is deserved, as is academia in general;<br /> (2) foreign learners who are barely able to use the language with accuracy, yet getting certified to teach (! --the tests used to assess competency for university studies, isn't fit to determine suitability for teaching English);<br /> (3) people who always write as though they are speaking, apparently unaware of the differences and how that can lead to being unintelligible.<br /><br />And worse, the instructors say NOTHING! People with decades of experience and degrees under their belts (Masters and higher), yet who are more concerned with making sure that nobody is offended, and that all the little tots' hands are held, and that they're encouraged and affirmed and "affect" is used and all that psychobabble*h*t that all the TEFL materials seem to recommend. It's crazy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-21043433504834943982009-10-12T14:21:39.463+02:002009-10-12T14:21:39.463+02:00It's nice to read Sandy minus the cussing. Goo...It's nice to read Sandy minus the cussing. Good post.Adamhttp://www.yearinthelifeofanenglishteacher.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-27760224986881665422009-10-10T16:56:35.681+02:002009-10-10T16:56:35.681+02:00I didn't realise Melanie had such a nice garde...I didn't realise Melanie had such a nice garden (judging by the picture). Maybe she's not such a crusading leftie after all - more of 'plant'? (geddit - garden, plant...?)The TEFL Tradesmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09213645150599522343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-10918033191769284132009-10-09T01:34:22.440+02:002009-10-09T01:34:22.440+02:00Including teachers terms and conditions in British...Including teachers terms and conditions in British Council inspections really would make a difference. And in an industry where such instability makes it hard to rock the boat, you have to appreciate a woman who stands up for something.Darren Elliotthttp://www.livesofteachers.comnoreply@blogger.com