A couple of days ago, I gave my grammar students their final exam - a composition meant to demonstrate that they've learned all their grammar and are ready to move onto the next level, Advanced Composition.
Many of my colleagues in this situation would start by blaming the students as being pig-headed and lazy about thinking while they write. Others would remind me that they can't all be successes. After all, many of these people would never have been eligible for a university career in their home country, but ours is a community college with doors open to all.
But I don't buy it. I've always taken responsibility for my actions, and I feel these guys are failing because of me. If I vent about this to my colleagues (the ones whose opinions I respect and who I think are on my side), they'll surely act more as cheerleader than constructive critic. So what's a girl to do?
I know that quite a few of my followers out there are teachers. If any of you teach grammar and/or composition, I'd love to hear some of your teaching tips. I've been doing this since 1991 (a time before many of you could write your own decent paragraphs), yet I know I can still learn so much from others.
To my readers who are not teachers, you may still have good advice since most of you are writers. My eyes and ears are open to you all. And I thank you in advance. Mwah!
Hmmm. I'm not a teacher, so I don't have any advice for you. If you've been giving tests like this before without these miserable results, I'd say you might just have a crop of 'bad' students this time. But kudos for not ignoring what could be the first warning bell that something is changing!
ReplyDelete1 Use images from real life - ones they can relate to
ReplyDelete2 Talk - model the punctuation in verbalised sentences
3 Scaffold the teaching - write a sentence using the basic punctuation in action - show the same sentence uplevelled by adjectives or adverbs etc
4 Leave it visible whilst they write their own
Hope this is helpful ;) It's my daily routine. If I had to make one of the four rules most important it would be the need for opportunities to hear and verbalise quality sentences. :)
Elaine~ Idea number 2 sounds particularly helpful, so thanks!
ReplyDeleteI think you're being too hard on yourself, Wendy, although in a totally noble way. I wish I'd ever had even ONE teacher like you when I was learning English. Rare is the teacher who looks at him/herself and asks, "how can I do better?"
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the congrats! I'm totally floating around today, six inches off the ground. :)
I think your students are lucky, actually. They have a teacher who thinks enough about them and their grades to look at 'herself' and potential ways to improve. I think that shows what a wonderful teacher you are, personally!
ReplyDeleteThank you all for finding the silver lining. After some more brainstorming, I'm sure next semester will better ;-)
ReplyDelete** WARNING **
ReplyDeleteIf comic relief isn't appropriate here, delete before reading.
Aleigh said....
At least you taught them how to use the "f" word properly.
(what? I warned you)
Kudos to you for seeing this trend in your class and for caring enough to try to change it. It would be interesting to know if you've seen changing characteristics and trends in the students since 1991, and maybe if so, these might have something to do with the downturn?
ReplyDeleteAleigh~ You're so right. In the F-word, I've given them one of life's most valuable gems.
ReplyDeleteLearning another language is hard stuff! So can't imagine teaching it. I think you're a wonderful teacher for caring so much. I'm sure that shows in your work. I also believe students have to be in the right place for learning. It doesn't mean that they don't want to learn, but perhaps you have a group right now who are all going through personal problems or not in the place to focus. Sending positive thoughts out to you and your students!
ReplyDeleteOK, so maybe I mocked the cheerleader in my post, but it's also what I needed. So thanks to you all!
ReplyDeleteI can't offer suggestions, since I'm not a teacher, but I can offer my support. Just the fact that you're willing to push yourself harder, raise your own bar, will be inspirational to all those around you -- including your students. Wishing success to you all!
ReplyDeleteI love that you care! The fact that you've taught since 1991 and avoided the whole jaded thing is pretty amazing. Kudos to you! (Since I'm not a teacher, I don't have any advice. Only kudos!)
ReplyDeleteWish I could help you but... As a student I just embrace the teaching!
ReplyDeleteMy beach is near Cadiz, a small city called Rota! A marvelous place if I say it myself!
And btw, didn't make it up to Seville... But Rotas feria started last night so this weekend will be tons of fun!
You sound like a fantastically dedicated teacher Wendy. I guess it would be a pleasure to be in your class.
ReplyDeleteWow, Wendy, it's sweet that you are so self-flagellating about their test scores, but I'm sure you are terrific. I am hopeless with advice, since I am neither a teacher, nor particularly good with grammar. And it is my first language. Ouch. Good luck!
ReplyDelete