Sailors
Being a successful human being is not about controlling your environment but instead, by responding to it with extreme flexibility. A captain of a ship cannot control the wind or the sea, and those who think they can, will eventually hit an iceberg and die.
They do not seek to control the wind or the water, but instead, they respond to that in such a way that the wind and water become allies to move them forward towards their goal, to the ports on the other side of the vastest oceans.
It is in seeking a co-operation with the environment that we reach our goals, and when we have learned how to do that, then we are free.
Free from fear and strong in the knowledge that no matter which way the wind blows, we will know what to do to get where we want to go.
With love,
Euge
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15 comentarios:
Well, I didn´t have any experience by teaching in a primary nor a secondary or high school, but I realiza by teachin adults that the environment does have a very strong power in succes or failure when teaching english.
That metaphor of the sea and the wind make me understand why I prefer to resolve the Quest of my class by a process of teaching and learning . I really believe that the circumstances have to be my co-workers but not my enemies.
Wow!
So thought-provoking an intervention, Francy!
Euge :)
It is indeed very true that sailing against the wind instead of "riding" the waves can lead to disaster.
I have experienced both in the classroom, rough sea and smooth sailing, and what made the difference was the harmony, or lack thereof, established between the forces at play.
Thank you for your insight,
Edwige Gamache
Good advice to take into account in all the fields of life...
There is a aspect of teaching Foreign Languages with which I have been struggling for years. How do you teach new vocabulary in context to avoid lists of words to be memorized? I have word games, dialogues, etc... but seem to be running out of ideas.
Thanks for your input!
PS: I have chosen the identity: Le grand chef for my French classes since we are doing work on La gastronomie!
Edwige
Thanks, Silvi!
And for you Edwige, that list of vocabulary can be useful -why not?-but...for some students. Have you read my article on Multiple Intelligences and so on? It's paramount to look for more things: games, reading, listening, ICT, videos and songs, etc, etc. For doing so, you need to analyze your students' interests, likes, first.
Euge :)
HI Euge,
Teaching new vocabulary with lists and without context seems to work against retention. My students learn the vocabulary, usually pass the test, but forget almost immediately. When I teach the same vocabulary in context, that is through activities like songs, word games, etc...the retention is definitely improved.
I have just read your article on Multiple intelligence, and yes assessing the students' interests id definitely essential!
Thank you for your answers.
Edwige
Yes! I totally agree with you, Edwige. And thank a lot for taking your time, reading and participating in my blog.
Cheers!
Euge :)
I completely agree with Euge, teaching to children is one of the most rewarding experiencies I had in my life. They, many times, do not need to learn a language, but need love and feel loved. Teaching is sharing not onli knowledge, but feelings.
I love your metaphor of the sea, I think there is nothing more important than learning to control the actions and not the situation itself.
Milagros
WOW! What an inspiring introduction.
Thank you Euge.
Oh!
Don't even mention it!
Let's keep on being in contact,
Euge :)
All the opinions you made here, ladies and gentlemen, are very useful for my daily teaching practice. I've never thought that I could learn and know a lot of thing about people from different parts of the world in this way! It's amazing! Thank you Miss Marìa Eugenia. I'm one of your students in Funiber.
Oh!
You're welcome, "brujita de cristal"! And remember: we are all constantly learning from each other, so...what do you think about any article in this blog? We want to learn from you ;)
Euge :)
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