Rice straw

The seasons are changing, and summer seems to be over. As the rice was maturing, I was taking some much-needed down time. Since the rice is ready, as evidenced by these bundles of rice staw in the recently harvested paddy, I am also ready to get back to the business of teaching English.

rice straw Originally uploaded by Yokkaichi 1.

Who Needs Education Schools? - New York Times

This is a great article that has to stimulate interest and discussion among teachers. Great article.
Who Needs Education Schools? - New York Times

Texts or Not Texts

Exams are over and the grades are in. Now comes preparation time. For next semester of course.

I've been wondering about text books, not which one, but whether to use one at all. Texts are different from tests, but they include really similar activities. They also lock the class into a homogenous pace that suites a few people, but is too fast or too slow for the majority.

They've all bought the book already, because we use the same text for both semesters, so whatever I do next semester, I will probably make sure the students can use the text, but try to work out some way that they can work at their own pace or make extensive reading a larger component of the class.