A bad learning foundation can be reflected through not having the certain knowledge and skills expected from a person of a particular age or grade-level. Let's say for example, a third year college student is expected to have mastered or at least capable of applying the rules in writing a sentence (what is a complete sentence & subject-verb agreement the least). Apparently, if you're not knowledgeable of these rules, there's something wrong with your foundation.
I'm teaching English for specific function and purpose to HRM students in a public college. By the name of the course, it already implies that it's about the use of English language in the workplace. Usual topics include the vocabulary in the industry, writing business correspondences in relation to the industry, common conversations in the workplace (e.g. customer service, answering the telephone, etc.), presentation skills and etc. Of course, the usual assumption in any advance English language subject (since it's English 3) is that the students are already capable of writing and speaking in complete (somehow proper) sentences.
Unfortunately, most of my students are not. We need to go back to basics before we can actually focus on the real course. Before I can teach them on how to write a sales spiel/presentation, before they can learn writing for marketing in HRM (e.g. basic copy writing), before they can come up with a research paper, before they can take reservations, they must learn to distinguish the difference between a sentence and a fragment. They must learn the rules of SVA. Most importantly, more than just knowing the rules, they must also acquire critical-thinking skills (Alam mo nga ang rule, hindi mo naman alam paano at kailan dapat gamitin).
If the foundation is bad, how do you bridge the gap?
I'm teaching English for specific function and purpose to HRM students in a public college. By the name of the course, it already implies that it's about the use of English language in the workplace. Usual topics include the vocabulary in the industry, writing business correspondences in relation to the industry, common conversations in the workplace (e.g. customer service, answering the telephone, etc.), presentation skills and etc. Of course, the usual assumption in any advance English language subject (since it's English 3) is that the students are already capable of writing and speaking in complete (somehow proper) sentences.
Unfortunately, most of my students are not. We need to go back to basics before we can actually focus on the real course. Before I can teach them on how to write a sales spiel/presentation, before they can learn writing for marketing in HRM (e.g. basic copy writing), before they can come up with a research paper, before they can take reservations, they must learn to distinguish the difference between a sentence and a fragment. They must learn the rules of SVA. Most importantly, more than just knowing the rules, they must also acquire critical-thinking skills (Alam mo nga ang rule, hindi mo naman alam paano at kailan dapat gamitin).
If the foundation is bad, how do you bridge the gap?
In a previous post, I wrote some possible antidotes to the deteriorating English proficiency of college students (public school students in particular). The second suggestion goes, "Second, since we can’t send these students back to grade school, college teachers must be sensitive to the capacities of their students in coping up with the lessons. It may be too much to actually set-up a special class (or an extra session) but this will help a lot (esp. if you’re teaching in a public school where there are financial constraints, initiative matters)."
Apparently, this is the best way any college teacher with the same problem can utilize to bridge the gap. It's disheartening that these students have missed learning the skills they should have acquired years ago. It's even more painful to see them somehow lost in space. Although they were educated, what they received was a weak learning foundation. For me, it's a subtle form of injustice.
Looking at the eyes of my students, you will see their willingness to learn. The only way for them to recover is through extra effort from both the students and the professor.
In need of help: If you have any bright ideas on how to bridge the gap, please feel free to share.
BTW, maybe education advocates can set up something like a free "English Proficiency Training" among public school students in all levels (since foundation is important and there's a gap needed to be bridged). I think the British Council has a similar project. But then again, we need more similar projects. :) Anyone?
Apparently, this is the best way any college teacher with the same problem can utilize to bridge the gap. It's disheartening that these students have missed learning the skills they should have acquired years ago. It's even more painful to see them somehow lost in space. Although they were educated, what they received was a weak learning foundation. For me, it's a subtle form of injustice.
Looking at the eyes of my students, you will see their willingness to learn. The only way for them to recover is through extra effort from both the students and the professor.
In need of help: If you have any bright ideas on how to bridge the gap, please feel free to share.
BTW, maybe education advocates can set up something like a free "English Proficiency Training" among public school students in all levels (since foundation is important and there's a gap needed to be bridged). I think the British Council has a similar project. But then again, we need more similar projects. :) Anyone?
10 comments:
it would be the best option - to sacrifice extra time and effort; though i guess the root of the problem on poor educational foundation among the youth today lies in the issue of which medium/language to use in teaching. We may have teachers (of various subjects) who are fluent in English but the question is: are they understood/will they be understood by ordinary Filipino students? Studies have proven that the best way to teach (effectively)is by using the first tongue of students (tagalog, cebuano, ilocano, waray...) as medium for instruction in schools. I suppose that's also the reason Filipino students are behind other Asian students in Math and Science.
I'm constrained to use Filipino even if I'm teaching an English subject. The rationale is simple. How can I teach in English if my students aren't capable of comprehending my lessons because of the language? (ang tanong lang ay kung may tutuligsa sa akin sa eskwela)
So ang patakaran na lang sa class, I discuss in English, explain the lesson in English, then explain it in Filipino. Ayun, eh di nagkakakaintindihan kami. But I also make sure that they also speak in English. If for example, they are having a hard time expressing themselves in English, tulong-tulong ang class to translate. Ayos ba iyon?
I agree that the use of Filipino (or the native language) as a medium of instruction is the best way to effectively teach. Lalo na talaga sa Math. But it doesn't mean that we've to translate scientific words in Filipino.
I think the problem lies basically in the students' foundation, as you have pointed out correctly in your post. It's perhaps a proof of how poor Philippine education is right now.
From a linguistic standpoint, I would also dare say that for many teachers in the Philippines, teaching English equals teaching grammar, period. Students are made to memorize all SVA rules without actually applying them. Therefore, when the students finally need to express themselves in the language, they are left in the grammar stage and are not capable to go on to the communicative stage.
It's a pity that we depend so much on our linguistic capital in the Philippines. In a country without technological and financial wealth, poor language skills are anathema.
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^ As I've always explained to my students, you have to know the rules and internalize them. Knowing the rules doesn't mean simply memorizing them but it's about being critical enough to know when to use them. Teachers should realize that while teaching English, they should also be imparting critical-thinking skills to students (through activities/drills).
I gave my students a practice test on SVA - they had to underline which is the correct answer. But to make the exam more interesting (and less prone to guessing), I asked them to explain their answers. Alas, while they were able to get the right answers, most of them weren't able to give right reasons for their answers.Ibig sabihin, hindi talaga naiintindihan. Sobrang challenging. I wish that by the time the subject is over, they should have somehow acquired necessary skills to effectively communicate.
Maybe now you know what you're going to do when you're back in the Philippines. :) Teach!
How about reading newspapers and magazines aloud in class? Since they're HRM, maybe food and lifestyle sections/mags? It'll help familiarize them with the language.
^Ay, thanks for that great suggestion. I think it can help improve their comprehension skills at the same time. Salamat:)
I'm also thinking of asking them to watch "Ratatouille". I'll probably ask them to write a simple review or I can set-up a movie discussion in class.
^ You can also download Lifestyle/Food Network stuff and show it in class.
Dun sa magazines, you can assign an article per person and have them write a 1 paragraph summary.
^ I'll follow your tips. Buti na lang at teacher ka rin! Sobrang salamat ulit.
Re: Lifestyle/Food Network
I think students will find this interesting. Although, the school lacks facilities (wala atang AVR dun). Gawan ko na lang ng paraan.
Re: lack of AVR. You can burn them as VCDs (one per student, palitan na lang). You can safely assume that they at least have a VCD player at home. Homework nga lang yun.
Showing it on a laptop in class won't work (unless you have a projector or an extra monitor).
^Yeah, I know it will just bore the students if it's going to be shown using a laptop - 3 persons at most na lang ang makaka-appreciate, baka wala pa.
It's better showing it in class sana (if I've the means). But your suggestion is noted - kung wala man silang VCD player, gagawa at gagawa sila ng paraan. :)
Salamat ulit!
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