Timed Article

Discrimination in the classroom: The Teacher’s Role

A matter of considerable debate nowadays is how teachers should tackle discrimination in the classroom. On the one hand, some experts claim that such behaviour shouldn’t be taken seriously, as it is an inherent part of every classroom environment and therefore impossible to eradicate completely. However, others state that discrimination among peers, especially primary school students, may bring about negative psychological consequences in any child. So the teacher’s role should be active to prevent discrimination. This article purports to explore some possible effects that lack of teachers’ intervention in discriminatory attitudes may cause in students.

Firstly, it is claimed that most students who suffer discrimination at school might become unsociable and introverted. This stems from the fact that everyday learners who are considered the typical “laughing stocks” by their peers must face a classroom environment that rejects them. Consequently, they become insecure and find it difficult to establish close bonds with their mates and the teacher. They end up being “outsiders” because they feel whatever they do or say will become the target of jokes.

Furthermore, the sense of insecurity stated above may have another negative consequence: demotivation to learn. By becoming “black sheep,” discriminated children might eventually suffer from low self-esteem and experience no real motivation to pay careful attention to the teacher’s explanations or to fulfil any of the tasks they are expected to do.

Thirdly, another possible negative effect that tough jokes may have on students is that of violence. Indeed, recent studies have successfully proved that discriminated children may become seriously violent. Nevertheless, such behaviour is not experienced at school but at home. Being unable to cope with the embarrassing situations some jokes might cause, “laughing stocks” may channel their repressed feelings with their families, in the form of physical or verbal violent attitudes.

To sum up, it can be concluded that discrimination can bring about negative psychological problems in a child, given that he or she may eventually become introverted, discouraged to learn or even violent. This is the reason why teachers should never turn a blind eye or deaf ear to discrimination in the classroom.

SCs and AWRs_Timed Article

https://docs0.google.com/document/d/1bm1rhNkM7Sl9EBkGEIQ4nJiFQN6xxi8XAQYkZJ8ZKtE/edit#

My Experience of Writing 2

Ok, Ayelèn, what are your reflections at this time of the year? Mmmm, I don’t know. I feel we should still improve the way we edit our writings…many avoidable mistakes…I mean, there are still silly mistakes that we could just avoid by

resorting to a dictionary or any grammar book. Or by reading the piece one more time. What about you? Well, I think the troubled relationship we used to have once has become completely

harmonious. And this improvement is clearly reflected on our compositions. It’s true there’s still a lot to improve, but at the same time, we should be positive and look on the bright side: we’ve written many memorable pieces, don’t you think? A Xenophobe’s Guide…is one of my favourites. Yeah! You could say that again! And what is your opinion of process writing? This is the first time in our lives we’ve experienced something like this. And I’m so glad, indeed! And what is it that makes you like it? Basically, it lays considerable emphasis on the process of creating writing rather than the final product. Besides, I feel one of its basic premises is that every one of us can be skillful writers, you only have to believe in yourself. I totally agree! Process writing is inclusive, beyond a shadow of a doubt! By working through the different stages, we become acutely aware of all the steps involved when creating a piece: writing drafts, revising and editing. Furthermore, it allows us to share ideas with our peers and tutors, and exchange constructive feedback, which is valuable and vital to grow as better writers. Do you think we have reached our maximum potential? Mmmm, no, this is just the beginning of our writing experience. It’s a long way to the top! Writing is a process of internal maturation, and we have a lot more to give. Remember the ff lines: “process writing is learning how to write by writing” (Stone: 1995, p. 232)

A True Tale of Argentinian Life

Sally

Today Sally would turn 34. Sally… I still keep vivid memories of our childhood. So lively, witty, playful… She was my best friend, indeed. Just to think of what happened to her makes my blood freeze. It was this very same day 28 years ago that we celebrated her last birthday. I remember it as if it were yesterday: it was a chilly June day and the air as heavy with the smell of damp. However, this didn’t discourage anyone from having a good time. Some children were playing cowboys in the garden, while others, inside Sally’s house, were dancing rhythmically, swaying their bodies to the music. But everyone’s minds were on the magic show, which finally started at 5. After the magician amused the audience with some conjuring tricks, Sally’s elder sister, Maureen, stood up and tripped determinedly to the front. With an intent look she tugged at his cap and whispered sth in his ear. By her sparkling eyes I could already anticipate what she had in mind:

“Ok,” the magician said to everybody, “Maureen wants to show us a trick. Tell me dear, what are you going to do?”

With her typical mischievous grin she announced: “I’m going to make Sally disappear.”

So Sally went next to her sister. We were all cheering and clapping our hands in delight. Maureen took the magic wand, stood upright, and closed her eyes firmly. Just then an eerie silence descended. She seemed as if possessed by some driving force, paralysed in a state of deep concentration. After a couple of seconds without moving a single muscle, she tilted her head back and took a deep breath. Then, she began raising the wand so gently, that for a second I thought she was a conductor waving her baton, ready to lead an orchestra. Suddenly, she opened her eyes, and with a creepy voice she yelled “ABRACADABRA!!”

No sooner did she say this than all the lights in the house went out. After a couple of minutes the girls’ father turned on the switch and crept towards the couch, thinking Sally was hiding behind it. He poked his head over it but to his surprise, Sally wasn’t there. He also pulled back the curtains, but she wasn’t there either.

“Where’s your sister?” he asked Maureen.

“I haven’t the slightest idea,” his daughter replied innocently.

Mr Glith couldn’t believe her words, “How come you don’t know? Come on, tell her to come, the game’s over.”

“Really, I dunno,” she insisted.

At this point Mr Glith became anxious for his seemingly lost daughter, as he had eventually realized Maureen wasn’t lying.

“Oh, please, make her appear again!!” he cried desperately.

“I wish I knew how. The old woman next door told me the trick yesterday, but she forgot to teachme the solution."

On hearing this, a shudder of fear ran through his veins: the old woman, who was no other than Mrs Bridgewood, was believed to have committed suicide some years before, after the widespread rumour that she had killed her husband with an axe.

The police scoured every corner of the house and the neighbourhood, including Ms Bridgewood’s house, now uninhabited, but there was no sign of my friend anywhere. Indeed, no trace of her has been found so far. I know it’s hard to believe, but since her disappearance, many neighbours have reported seeing bright lights inside the mysterious house now and again, although nobody has been able to prove it conclusively.

Just in case, every 24^th of June Maureen has done the very same trick as a kind of ritual, hoping to see her sister again.

SCs and AWRs

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nHS1OymV172-EgkRtPLxnbkzdHDmunUq8u--C7Cww-4/edit?hl=es#

Essay 2

Motivagement: a Tough Task for Teachers

Nowadays, most teachers believe the need to increase student motivation in school is urgent, as the number of learners who fail to satisfy learning objectives continues to grow every day. However, it is common to observe that many educators do not know how to promote strong commitment in them. This essay purports to explore several ways to encourage motivation and student engagement in

learning, what I call “motivagement”.

Firstly, the teacher’s own attitude towards his/her job is considered one of the most motivational tools. Indeed, it is thought that positively influential teachers who demonstrate engagement, devotion and love to their subject become a role model for the class. Since students admire passion, they become stimulated by the teacher’s commitment towards the subject and they follow the same example in order to pursue knowledge.

Secondly, teachers should also be deeply engaged with their students’ progress. An educator should manifest intense curiosity about their educational development, and that he/she is not teaching just for the salary. For instance, by offering personal assistance if necessary, showing concern when things are not going well or responding immediately when help is needed.

Thirdly, another motivational tool is associated with teachers’ expectations towards students’ learning abilities. In fact, if teachers believe that students can reach high levels of achievement, students will probably too. However, if teachers have low expectations and consider that students cannot manage their academic lives, they will probably fail.

Also, in order to generate a motivating classroom environment, teachers should create relevant lesson plans structured to match learning styles. Therefore, it is vital that they create a learning profile of every student, which will allow them to detect strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes. By designing lessons based on learners’ preferences and abilities, teachers will be able to draw their attention, and motivate them to learn.

To sum up, it can be concluded that what teachers do in the classroom has a considerable motivational impact on students. This is the reason why a positive attitude towards their profession and their students’ learning progress is highly important to foster motivagement. Furthermore, educators should also have high expectations of what learners can achieve and be able to employ teaching methods effective for all of them.

SCs and AWRs_WT8

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RqXiBJkzGBWJ-bjj__W4I-yBqvLE3myylBqSh251HCI/edit?hl=es#