[NIFL-ESL:2759] Re: what to do the first week of class

From: Kathleen Bombach (kbombach@worldnet.att.net)
Date: Fri Dec 25 1998 - 18:11:19 EST


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From: "Kathleen Bombach" <kbombach@worldnet.att.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-ESL:2759] Re: what to do the first week of class
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Dear Susan:
Mexican students in a private school (hence, middle to upper class) will
have very traditional expectations of a teacher and school.  They will have
a great deal of inherent respect for the teacher, and may not respond well
if you step outside of the role expectations they have for you too quickly.
My advice is to let them get comfortable with you first and introduce new
approaches one at a time.  Once they are comfortable with something new,
introduce the next new approach.
Inside the classroom, the status and place for each student is already
determined, largely by the position their family holds.  You may also find
that some of the students are actual relatives (cousins, etc.).   You will
probably find that you have a very bright but socially and politically
conservative students who study, do their homework, and are very attached to
their families.  The natural way to encourage interaction is to tie it to
holidays, family, Mexican events like Diezyseis or Cinco de mayo (which is
more likely to be celebrated along the border).
Good luck.
Kathleen Bombach

-----Original Message-----
From: susan hafler <ceezuu@hotmail.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov>
Date: Thursday, December 24, 1998 9:05 PM
Subject: [NIFL-ESL:2756] what to do the first week of class


>hello, listees, and happy holidays!
>
>i'm moving myself from lurker status to participant now that i have a
>legitimate question for the collective expertise.
>
>next week, i'll be starting a two-month student teaching gig in mexico,
>teaching 9th and 10th graders in a private school. i'm very interested
>in "establishing community" and am wondering how others do that. i've
>been trying to think of ways to have all the students (and me) learn
>about each other and try to become a supportive, fun learning community.
>my sense is that this has to start early, as in on the first day/week of
>class.
>
>so, i'm looking for help: what have others tried? ice breakers? fun,
>get-up-and-move-around activities? more intense discussion on community?
>any suggestions/ideas/advice is greatly appreciated.
>
>thanks, everyone.
>susan hafler
>matesol candidate
>school for internation training, brattleboro, vt.
>soon to be teaching in san juan del rio, queretaro, mexico
>
>
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com



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