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prieten47
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HELP! My students aren't interested in the environment!
June 6, 2009 - 09:41 AM
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When I recently got a job teaching English at a local university, I was full of idealism and ideas about incorporating environmental issues into my classes to make the English language seem useful to my students.
Well, my efforts have fallen flat so far. I have tried to use issues like Japan's over-reliance on imported food, the source of our meat and dairy products, global warming, school gardening, etc., in my classes.
The students' response so far? "Oh" and "I'm not interested in that". They seem fixated on their cellular phones, sports and fashions. I am torn between "forcing" my environmental interests on the students and just capitulating to their "real" interests.
Am I forever doomed to teaching "Amazing Sports Stories"? Any helpful hints out there from the younger generation (older is okay too)?
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Kesiya Xavier
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Re: HELP! My students aren't interested in the environment!
June 6, 2009 - 09:07 PM
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I defenitely do not think you should give up trying to incorporate environmental issues in your classes. I would say inform them of the issues along with presenting their interests, so that they won't completely lose interest in the class.Not everyone might be interested in the environment. But there might be atleast some you can influence and that will be rewarding.
I don't know the specifics of the class, but if there are projects that the students have to do, have them chose topics that regard both the environment and sports. Present environmental facts that are relevant to their world. Also, make use of environmental days (earth day) to present information or do a project.
These are just suggestions, I don't know if they are good. I hope it helps.
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prieten47
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Re: HELP! My students aren't interested in the environment!
June 8, 2009 - 01:32 AM
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Thank you for your input. I found an article in the paper today about fish disappearing from the see. Japan is a nation of Sushi lovers. Maybe the might have a comment or two about that.
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speakup
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Re: HELP! My students aren't interested in the environment!
June 10, 2009 - 10:21 AM
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Making it relevant to the students does sound like a good approach.
Following your thoughts about fish: Have you heard about the "Pacific Trash Vortex"? It is a massive collection of garbage in the Pacific Ocean that is apparently twice the size of Texas...and thus huge compared to Japan. Read up on that- it could be another good "hook" for your lessons =)
Some info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_Garbage_Patch#Impact_on_wildlife
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/oceans/pollution/trash-vortex#
...etc.
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prieten47
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Re: HELP! My students aren't interested in the environment!
June 11, 2009 - 07:29 PM
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Oh, yes, I remember reading about that. That was an article I wish I had cut out of the newspaper! A huge area of plastic and other garbage growing bigger and bigger in the middle of the Pacific. That's really sad. Thanks for the idea.
Japan has its own floating garbage problem. Lots of plastic trash with Korean and Chinese writing on it floats over to the western beaches of Japan. School kids are constantly doing trash pickups. I am sure a lot of Japan's plastic garbage also makes its way out to sea.
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Wangchuk Chungyalpa
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Re: HELP! My students aren't interested in the environment!
June 12, 2009 - 12:44 PM
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This is perhaps one of the most inspiring and concerning topics. Countless initiatives readily come to mind on such a inspiring topic. I am positive that a little research will reveal tons of information on the topic, particularly relating to climate awareness initiatives and climate empowerment initiatives. With a little bit of guidance and “mentorship” – a true educator can help spread awareness and influence young minds and future generation.
Please refer to the following links for information on Climate Change Talks that took place in Bonn, Germany – June 1 – 12.
http://unfccc.int/2860.php
Please refer to the following Wikipedia link for summary details on Kyoto Protocol.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Protocol
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prieten47
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Re: HELP! My students aren't interested in the environment!
June 13, 2009 - 03:18 AM
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Dear Wangchuk, thank you for those resources. I agree those topics are very important for the world and I want to raise them in my class. Maybe I need more skill in presenting these topics in an interesting way to young people.
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Shorooq
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Re: HELP! My students aren't interested in the environment!
July 11, 2009 - 02:48 AM
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To say the truth I hate it when a teacher comes in and starts telling us about things that are boring, talking about them won't do a damn thing, especially when I want the class to finish fast, sometimes I think how cool would it be if the teacher made us get into a small experience and we all got different out comes and we sat down and had a little chat about it, believe me it gets bigger and if you guys were heading in the right direction you might actually get to the point you wanted them to get to.
You can also ask them for a smart research on a topic that might be connected to these issues and made them find different facts and share them and start a discussion on them.
And I hope you get lucky with them.
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prieten47
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Re: HELP! My students aren't interested in the environment!
July 11, 2009 - 10:36 PM
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Dear Shorooq,
Thank you for those suggestions. I am planning to put my students into this situation: they will have to correspond with a school in Switzerland to work on a global warming awareness project. I am hoping this will put some pressure on them to "perform" in English and also show some environmental awareness.
Thanks again.
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