Jobs!
If you could tell me why YOU can't relate to the story I would be interested as well.
Quote from: elzoog on April 01, 2011, 06:42:10 PMIf you could tell me why YOU can't relate to the story I would be interested as well. Wow, writing a response to your questions has dug up some really intersting self-reflection. All of a sudden I want to go back to college and write essays. I really wish I could invite you out for a cup of coffee and we could argue over these things. About why I couldn't relate to it: I grew up in the north-east in a nice suburb with vacations to Disney World when I was little and to Europe when I got older. Depression-era America seemed as far from my life as the Choson dynasty. Why do I think "Of Mice and Men" is a strange choice for an ESL classroom? I can't come up with a better answer than because it was part of the Western Canon that was crammed down my throat in high school.
Inspired by this thread, I'm now re-reading "Of Mice and Men". I really enjoy it, but I can see how my younger self wouldn't feel the same.For example, the main theme of the opening chapters is George's looking after Lenny. Now, reading this as an adult, it has a lot of meaning for me. I remember how bad I felt about being a drain on my parents while I was in college, and so I sympathize with Lenny's offering to go off into the mountains. I've also been thinking a lot about taking care of my parents when they are older, and the sacrifices I might have to make, so I closely watch how George looks after Lenny.But did I think about either of these things when I was 16? Nope. Like most Korean students, I was just thinking about getting a good grade so I could get into a good college.
So, my thinking is obviously biased, but I believer the original poster can prompt discussions about human rights, moral behaviour and good societies by watching a well-picked episode of Battlestar Galactica. Plus, the kids will be more engaged and it will be easier to find subtitles.
The problem is, Korean culture doesn't encourage 16 year olds to grow up. So even though you didn't think of these things at 16, you are thinking about them now. Whereas if you talk very deeply with most of your coteachers, you will find that many of them, by and large, still think like 16 year olds.
Korean culture doesn't encourage 16 year olds to grow up.
if you talk very deeply with most of your coteachers, you will find that many of them, by and large, still think like 16 year olds.
Totally unfounded and stereotyping rubbish.
QuoteKorean culture doesn't encourage 16 year olds to grow up.Do you know anything of the responsibilities of these kids? Half of my students volunteer at least twice a month, all study ethics as part of their high school course, are required to write essays about the importance of family and friendship in their lives. A lot of them form their own clubs and societies for weekend school, and make an effort to help their classmates with difficult material when they're studying together. Actually, just looking at my 2nd graders this year in comparison to when they were 1st grade last year, they've grown up a hell of a lot, and most of them are more mature than I was when I was a 17 year old high schooler.
Quoteif you talk very deeply with most of your coteachers, you will find that many of them, by and large, still think like 16 year olds.I'm beginning to think that you're a little racist, or just ignorant.[sorry to put this thread off topic. i was just shocked by this person's post]
