Cessie Vaquiro's blog
Title: DR. CROSS
I can confidently say that in my classroom, I encourage collaboration in every single lesson. However, it’s a tough sell, since many of my students come from a very old-fashioned educational system. In this system, their main role is to sit, listen and copy. Learning from peers seems not to be very encouraged and I face more than 50% resistance every time I suggest students to work with a partner, or as a group. It seems the concept is very foreign to them. Nevertheless I keep on trying. I believe collaboration in the classroom is fundamental in language learning.
I’ve also had the opportunity to practice originality in my lessons, especially with children and teenagers. I have taken students on field trips where they have the opportunity to explore the real-world and its possibilities. I’m very interested in taking teens to places that can inspire them with regards to their future professional paths. Some of these places are the Air traffic control center at our international airport and a local radio station studio where they’ve been able to experience firsthand the responsibilities of the jobs.
I do encourage students to discover on their own, but it is a challenge since the majority of the time, they expect me to do most of the thinking. I believe this is one of the areas where I can never give up. This is the characteristic I believe, is quite difficult to implement in my class, and a way of overcoming this challenge would be to provide more opportunities in which, students are forced to discover, rather than passively wait for things to be uncovered. Good examples of this would be class projects in which days and weeks are allotted to students in order to collect data and prepare presentations.
Hello Cessie
Having taught students and trained teachers in the UAE, I can fully identify with some of the challenges you face in your teaching. UAE is in the midst of educational reform, old ways (particularly with regard to curriculum content and assessment) are being replaced by tried and tested systems from around the world. It certainly is a very exciting and immensely challenging time to be teaching over there. What is the situation in Oman? Are they reforming their education system too?
Change (particularly within education) takes time and I think your persistence in implementing aspects of DR.CROSS in your class teaching is not only commendable and but also very necessary. I m assuming that you are working with young adults who have spent most of their education in classrooms where teachers ‘Tell, and don’t Show’ and in your class they are now expected to think and to articulate their understanding of knowledge gained not only to their teacher (you) but also their peers. They are expected to analyse and hypothesize, have a voice and be accountable. Looking at it from their perspective you can imagine how difficult this can be based on their previous learning experiences so the resistance to change is sometimes very strong. How have you addressed the issue of ‘failing’? Can you give a specific example of a strategy you have used that engaged students with their mistakes resulting in a positive learning outcome?
In one of your blog entries you said: I will no longer be the vendor by the side of the road who offers a drink when the pedestrian is thirsty. I'll become a little station where the pedestrian spends time in, relaxes, and gets necessary equipment to continue his/her journey.
I found this so moving. I think you have the right philosophy to teach and make a difference within a Middle Eastern context and culture.
I look forward to reading your blog entries.
Regards
Hema
Dear Hema,
I very much appreciate your comments on my blog. I teach at a private EFL institution so the reforms in the education system don't really affect me...only because I mainly teach working adults. However, I believe the younger Omani generation is much more alert, and energized, since nowadays, they're exposed to different teaching methods; but don't get me wrong, there's LOTS of room for improvement.
I'm glad to have your input, as you have experience in this part of the world and know how hard it is sometimes.
With regards to failing, not many of our students fail. Due to the nature of our business, failing students isn't very encouraged, unless absolutely necessary. Any success stories? Well, I can safely say, that 98% of the students I've failed, HAVE FAILED, because my classroom isn't the place where they want to be. They're forced to study by their employers, parents etc., so it's very hard to help someone who doesn't really want to be there from the first place.
In our center, students have a variety of opportunities to achieve a passing mark. We assign percentages to speaking in class as well as a presentation each student must do on a monthly basis. We give marks for participation, class work, writing and of course written tests. Even if a student fails the written tests, he/she can still obtain a passing mark with all the other components.
I believe my institute is very lenient when it comes to 'helping students to pass the course, as long as they deserve it and show that they care.
Looking forward to more insightful communications!
My Regards,
Cessie