I found this absurd conversation between two teachers online in a language discussion group for teachers. Who the teachers are doesn’t matter. Rather, I bring it to the attention of our group because it displays a very common mindset among language teachers that kids whine and don’t hand in work due to faults in their own make up and attitudes as children.
I disagree so deeply with the feel of this conversation. It reveals so much. It kind of makes me sick. My belief is that any one at any age can learn a language if it is presented to them in a way that allows the supercomputer that is their unconscious mind to do the learning, with the analytical hemisphere not allowed into the process at all.
Here it is:
Teacher 1: One of my level II classes seems to have gone on strike. I assigned a project utilizing the preterite vs the imperfect and only two groups out of five has handed it in. On my recent test, they claimed they couldn’t finish. The fact is, they don’t study until the last minute when they’re sitting in the room the day of the test. They claim that they’re overworked and overextended during their day. What concerns me is that Spanish seems to come last in their list of priorities after their “more important courses.” What would you do in these cases? I’m assigning some zeros and calling some parents.
On the other hand, my other level II class handed in projects which are literally works of art. Several of these students are at the top of their graduating class and work extremely diligently. Does anyone else have such different classes?
Teacher 2: The pacing guide at your school is much easier than our district pacing guide. The kids are just whining. I wouldn’t take it personally. You can redirect their whining into ways they can improve their progress in your class. Maybe some of those kids are from the generation of entitlements. They think they don’t have to do much work. They don’t have study skills, and much is not expected/required of them. That’s good you are contacting parents about the reason of their progress in your class and that you know they can do better.