Wednesday December 7, 2005
Don’t just ‘cover’ the syllabus
I’ve just returned from a language conference, one of many in which I encountered language teachers saying how they’d love to carry out fun language learning activities which they’d picked up from such conferences but couldn’t because they had to “cover” the syllabus.
I’ve now taken to telling them that in their relentless race to “cover” the syllabus, much of what makes learning English appealing to learners remains unrevealed. The learners are deprived of revelling in activities that showcase the multi-faceted use and function of English.
Of course, teachers are merely operating within what has now (unfortunately) become a prescribed exam-oriented system that often precludes all manner of fun and maximum exposure to the language given the constraints of time.
Paradoxically, though, this is in direct conflict with the resolute call by the Ministry of Education to make learning English fun!
In reality, teachers concede that they teach English for exam purposes even if it is against their better judgement because exam scores count more than anything else. Well, then the last count of unemployable graduates must surely count too!
Ironically, again, it is neither the amount nor completion of syllabus “coverage” that enables students to master the language but the amount and type of “exposure” they gain because English is a dynamic subject that services a universal curriculum.
Involving students and exposing them to the fun side of learning English appeals to all age groups and is an excellent way to break barriers so that the language becomes accessible to all. It enables teachers to reach especially reluctant learners.
When learners are having fun, they feel empowered to use the language because of their desire to connect with the happening or learning event.
As a result of my experience with this approach, I continue to persuade language teachers that if learners enjoy the learning experience, the exam results will naturally be taken care of.
The use of English must happen in every classroom – try to recover the joy in the teaching and learning process. – Lucille Dass, Penang
The plural of ‘deer'
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Shouldn’t it be “deers”? – N. Ilyas, Kuantan
Ed: No. The advertisement is correct. The plural of “deer” is “deer”.
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