Read the list of words. Then write the topic:
1) fish, mutton, beef, chicken
This was a question on one of my exams. I got a variety of answers, including:
Teaching English is a lot more fun than I thought it would be, especially with the lower-level classes. But it has its challenges, too. For example, "mountainous nurse" is not an appropriate way to describe a large nurse. And I have no idea what it means to "mesmerize the window". Try explaining the difference between "ice" and "snow" to students from rural Sri Lanka. Then there was the student who, in her summary of a book about a man who loves his wife but is angry with his father wrote "He is making love to his wife, but he is not making love to his father." Figured I better correct that one pretty fast.
On the flip side, I think that having no context and preconceptions of English words and phrases gives non-native speakers an incredibly unique power of expression. The girls describe their thoughts and life experiences in limited English-- which means short, direct, poignant sentences.
I admit I took this job mainly because I thought it would be awesome to live in Bangladesh. Now that I'm here, though, I'm starting to realize the importance of learning English. Ah, globalization and the hegemony of America. Learning English is the key to a good job, whether that be working with tourists or a global corporation, or even in order to get a high-quality education. Knowledge of English opens many doors for people-- doors that, as a native English speaker, were already opened for me. Lots of the girls here are really smart and will go far. They just have an incredibly challenging game of catch-up to play first. I'm now quite grateful that English is my native language.
Ms. Chinty (it's Cindy...so close) is finally done grading exams. Time for a nap, then off to Nepal for Eid (the holiday after the holy month of Ramadan) Break!
Its beautiful under the mosquito cockroach net.
1) fish, mutton, beef, chicken
This was a question on one of my exams. I got a variety of answers, including:
"not vegetables"
"meats non-vegetarian"
"kinds of curries"
"protein foods"
"foods"
and, a few: "meats"
"
"kinds of curries"
"protein foods"
"foods"
and, a few: "meats"
Teaching English is a lot more fun than I thought it would be, especially with the lower-level classes. But it has its challenges, too. For example, "mountainous nurse" is not an appropriate way to describe a large nurse. And I have no idea what it means to "mesmerize the window". Try explaining the difference between "ice" and "snow" to students from rural Sri Lanka. Then there was the student who, in her summary of a book about a man who loves his wife but is angry with his father wrote "He is making love to his wife, but he is not making love to his father." Figured I better correct that one pretty fast.
On the flip side, I think that having no context and preconceptions of English words and phrases gives non-native speakers an incredibly unique power of expression. The girls describe their thoughts and life experiences in limited English-- which means short, direct, poignant sentences.
I admit I took this job mainly because I thought it would be awesome to live in Bangladesh. Now that I'm here, though, I'm starting to realize the importance of learning English. Ah, globalization and the hegemony of America. Learning English is the key to a good job, whether that be working with tourists or a global corporation, or even in order to get a high-quality education. Knowledge of English opens many doors for people-- doors that, as a native English speaker, were already opened for me. Lots of the girls here are really smart and will go far. They just have an incredibly challenging game of catch-up to play first. I'm now quite grateful that English is my native language.
Ms. Chinty (it's Cindy...so close) is finally done grading exams. Time for a nap, then off to Nepal for Eid (the holiday after the holy month of Ramadan) Break!
Its beautiful under the 
Posts
okay this is getting crazy.. first Cornell Alum.. then English teacher.. beshi joss! I'm becoming a fan of you :)
ReplyDeletethe blog is really enjoyable to read, the summary part is hilarious.. and you are soooo right about the importance of English.. wish I was a native speaker too.. my spoken (written as well) english sucks (you're the 3rd person I'm saying this to today..GOD! I need help)
by the way.. I found you in Facebook, also messaged you in FB, and there I got your blog's link.. I hope I'm not trespassing (..err. and I'm definitely not stalking you..though it seems like it :S ..but I'm not..so don't get me wrong..) or anything..anyway keep up the good work.