Enjoyable story, Barbara, thanks.

I'm a 53-year old with 9 years nearly fulltime adult ed work, ESOL, EFL,
GED, all levels.

My first reaction was to laugh and say, "impossible.... teach them "That's *
im*possible!" or just "Impossible!"  but not "...not possible."  :D
(I realize both are used but do think that if a concordance were consulted,
that "impossible" would be more widely used)

I'd continue the debates, substituting ________ for America...  Is this a
Mexican?  Is this a Somalian? etc...

It's been fascinating for me to learn from adult learners -- what kind of
effect globalization and economic developments have had on the honest
representation of who is a citizen of what country... and how many
expatriates there are... or are not...

I love activities using photos, because so often details I'd not thought of
are noted by other participants.

I would say that this type of activity would qualify as one promoting
critical thinking and potentially learner leadership as well.
My mind is sifting various language-related activities that could accompany
or follow such an activity.

Thoughts? Reactions? Comments?
holly

On Tue, Jul 8, 2008 at 4:40 PM, Barbara Caballero <
barbaracaballero at sbcglobal.net> wrote:


> Subject: Critical thinking in the Beginning ESL classroom

> Good morning,

> I just read a lot, but not all, of the recommended articles on teaching

> critical thinking authored by Stephen Brookfield.  Thank you very much for

> the links to these articles.  I think I get it.

>

> I believe that I have unknowingly ventured into this type of teaching in my

> very Beginning ESL classroom.  I'll describe what I did.

>

> You probably need to know that I'm a 58-year-old white woman and I've been

> teaching ESL for about 15 years, as a volunteer tutor or paid classroom

> teacher.  I'm currently a part-time instructor at Austin Community College

> in Texas.

>

> Before the lesson in question, my students have learned to say "I'm from

> ___" and to ask "Where are you from?"  I also have taught my students that

> I'm from Pennsylvania and I'm an American.  We use maps and lots of

> repetition.  Now for my critical thinking lesson.

>

> I have 10 or 15 colorful photos that I have cut out of magazines.  Each

> photo is of an individual.  Some of the individuals have characteristics in

> common, some are very different.  For example, there are different ages,

> races, genders, income-levels, abilities, emotions, etc.  I'll start out

> with a few photos of white people who appear to be healthy and wealthy.  I

> display one photo and I ask my students: "Is this an American?"  They

> usually say yes.   We continue by looking at photos of people who look

> different from the first people.  I ask my question "Is this an

> American?".   If there is disagreement, I'll ask, "Is it POSSIBLE?"

> Sometimes we communicate by "I-don't-know" shrugging, and using "so-so"

> gestures, etc.  Eventually we all agree and repeat the phrase, "It's

> POSSIBLE."  Some of my pictures are of individuals whose clothing and

> surroundings seem to indicate that they are not Americans.  If the students

> insist that it's not an

>  American, I'll ask "It's NOT possible?  Why?"  They point out the clues in

> the photo that tell them that this is not an American.  Usually there is

> spirited side-talking in L1.  All comments and opinions are acknowledged and

> are OK by me.  My focus is on teaching the phrase "It's POSSIBLE", plus at

> least the students hearing the phrase "It's NOT possible".  But I also want

> them to loosen up any pre-conceived notions about Americans.  The other goal

> is to get my students used to looking for clues.

>

> I would be interested in feeback from the listserv.  Am I on the right

> track, or  am I doing some unintended damage?

> Thanks again,

> Barbara Rotolo-Caballero

>




> --

> Holly (Dilatush)

>

> holly at dilatush.com

> (434) 960.7177 cell phone

> (434) 295.9716 home phone

> [OK to call 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. EST / GMT -5 time]

>

> "Live with intention. Share inside~out smiles, inspire hope, seek awe and

> nurture in nature." (original by Holly)

>

> www.tales-around-the-world.blogspot.com

> www.abavirtual-learningcenter.org

> www.blogblossoms.edublogs.org

> *Twitter ID = smilin7

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