Happy, clappy English teaching: not a fan. Why?
After 22 years here, we are miserable sods jaded with teaching and life itself.
Ha ha, gotcha!
No, we are very happy people but definitely not into the concept of bouncing
around a class, bug eyed leading the class in 'fun' English.
If your not sure what we're talking about, please
refresh your memory (for the UK audience // for the Americans). Sorry we can't
reference every country. Both of these guys are legends of bad 80s tv, but would they make effective teachers?
Fun IS a big part of our lessons but without
an annoying tv presenter demeanor.
What else is of concern?
- Happy English lessons are by their nature teacher led. The lessons shouldn’t be about US as the teacher. It should be about the children as STUDENTS --- learning. With happy English there is an emphasis on the TEACHER being super happy leading the class.
- In normal life are we ALWAYS happy. No! Then why the emphasis on SUPER HAPPY English teaching?
- It encourages students to see ALL English teachers as clowns. We are NOT clowns.
- It’s EXHAUSTING for the teacher. Being the SUPER GENKI teacher is a young person’s game. One we don’t want to play.
- The TEACHER is SUPER HAPPY and EXPENDING lots of energy?? But how about the kids?? Is there real learning? Or just activity and noise.
- Finally, this style of teaching is not used in Math, Science, P.E... Why is it common in the childrens’ English teaching industry? Are we the clowns of education in Japan?
So how about us at Dave and Amy
English School?
Our BEST teachers are in the background: setting up activities and monitoring.
You only hear their voice when needed.
What do you hear instead? The busy activity of STUDENTS speaking and doing.
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