Share your views and concerns on the teaching of English
- By Aruna Ankiah-Gangadeen
- Published 1/12/2006
You are invited to post your views here. You may also ask questions or seek any support for particular difficulties met in the teaching of English or Literature in English through this forum.
Note: This area is provided in order to encourage debates and discussions which can help to enhance the quality of education in Mauritius. The comments posted in the blog DO NOT reflect the official position or views of the MIE. Views expressed are entirely the responsibility of the person putting the comment.
Note: This area is provided in order to encourage debates and discussions which can help to enhance the quality of education in Mauritius. The comments posted in the blog DO NOT reflect the official position or views of the MIE. Views expressed are entirely the responsibility of the person putting the comment.
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8 Responses to "Share your views and concerns on the teaching of English" 
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said this on 23 Jan 2007 7:40:07 AM MUT
Being an English teacher, I absolutely love English. Yet it pains me when I see the situation concerning English in the education system nowadays. What we have to realise is that the major problem about the teaching of English is that we teach students to write English, instead of, teaching them to use it orally. We are examined orally at the age of 16 years old, in English, in situations which are far from being authentic, while we have written exams at the age of 11. Do we learn to write first or speak? How can students appreciate and motivated to learn the language when they don't use it except within the classroom, that also in their written work?We teach English to students as if it was their native tongue, thinking that they will grasp it immediately, while English enjoys the status of a foreign language within the country. Should we not rethink the ways in which we can make our students wnjoy and share our passion for this wonderful language?
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said this on 09 Aug 2008 3:38:08 AM MUT
I too lived in mauritius for about 5 years , i did find English was not the means of communication, rather it is creole. So it would be definitely difficult for the little children without much exposure to develop the language orally.
Some step that might improve the situation would be-
1. a english daily published - when i was there between 1999-2003 they had one weekly only.
2. English television channels solly telecasting english programmes produced in mauritius--dealing with all aspects of life-- education, technology, commerce, media, childcare.
This is just to being with later, we can introduce definite programmes dealing exclusively with certain client base.
One more important thing--i would like to keep in touch with mauritius through you, if possible.
aarthi gaekwad M.A. B.Ed
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said this on 08 Sep 2008 12:41:15 PM MUT
I completely agree with Yesha that our Mauritian students are exposed to the English language only within the four walls of the classroom. Is this enough to achieve proficiency in a language to which we do not have any emotional attachment? One of my teachers used to say, "proficiency in any language is achieved when you start dreaming in that same particular language!" Can we ever imagine our young Mauritian fellows dreaming in English? Why not! Holding myself an MA in Applied Linguistics and having worked in the teaching sector for quite a few years, I can't deny that I've gained more confidence in conversing in English only after having spent around 5 years in London. Arti' suggestion for having English television channels telecasting programmes dealing with all the aspects of life will certainly be a boon to our prospective Mauritian students of the English Language.
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said this on 04 Feb 2009 2:35:36 AM MUT
To all lovers of English. I am not a teacher, but it pains me to see the poor quality of the students coming out of college with "A" grades or equivalent in English SC and HSC, and not knowing Dickens, unable to pronounce Mauritius correctly, with no notion of stress and accent. It seems that they have so much private tuition that they do not have time to read! The exact opposite of what the education system should aim. And the sms language is just killing good language. As to spoken English we already have English soccer with very good English comments, we have BBC World radio and BBC World 24/7 on our free TV channel. So excuses are lame. I would very politely also note the poor spoken English of some English teachers, so what would you expect from students? The chance (to help language) by having extra-curricular activities like theatre, debates and such in the schools has just missed a golden opportunity by defending and satisfying the greed of the parallel tuition industry. There are several organisations like the English-speaking Union which would certainly help. But I am always positive and am sure spoken and written English will improve. It just needs constant effort from all those who love it. Good luck.
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said this on 17 Sep 2008 2:48:08 PM MUT
Teaching English im Mauritius is too much textbook dependent. The aim is not teachng the language but going according to the exercises found in the textbook as students have to take part in Exams. Students also do not read enough of English at home. many do not read at all. This is a big problem in the school where I am working and I presume in many other schools.
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said this on 22 Sep 2008 7:29:50 PM MUT
Reading is not enough in the teaching of English . Pupils should be encouraged to write . Children do not write . They are not creative enough . The writing activity will require active thinking process . Moreover children will speak to their 'self' and listen too . Textbooks are only guides or resource materials - they are not really important if pupils are well guided in their tasks . Some teachers are good writers and can invent stories , texts and devise model papers . A good teacher can always adapt all the materials to the need of his class . He can add or modify the content . Remember that the content is not exhaustive in any book.
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said this on 24 Jan 2009 7:38:15 AM MUT
I leave in rodrigues and work as teacher in a primary school. I think that, for pupils to speak English orally we should give them the opportunity to use it at the primary stage that is, in primary schools or even at secondary levels. set subject or debates and let them express themselves freely, when they say something try to ask some other questions and let them talk. At the very first time they will feel a bit shy to talk but they will get it along with time. I can tell you that every day when i do my lessons in English, i get pupils through discussions in English first, through simple sentences and what they say, i bring them to write it
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said this on 23 Mar 2009 1:14:50 PM MUT
pupils in upper primary should be able to have a conversation in English . The slow learners can at least listen and understand if they can't formulate phrases . However There is something on which I have doubts: Some pupils think in English then write or speak English but the majority of pupils think in creole and instantly translate into English while speaking or writing .The second option seems right especially when doing composition writing .I give credit to both if the work reaches an acceptable level and there is no interference or code mixing .
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