Comments on: At newcomer school, teachers step back to help students learn

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:38:00 +0000

So . . . based on your experience, then, is this “Learning Cultures” thing (repackaged as it may be) an effective strategy or not?

By: Rose Nariman

Rose Nariman — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:01:00 +0000

After 35 years it’s harder to think outside the box. I think what they are doing makes a lot of sense to help the student first become proficient in the english language so that they can study on their own. But this way they are actively learning to speak english while learning the concepts of their subject and developing new friends who are being taught to have a helpful attitude toward their classmates. It will be interesting to see if any bullying develops. I very much doubt it.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 01:21:00 +0000

I fully agree with your commentary. As you, I am 67 years, still teaching, and must say that I love it. I have witnessed it all and realize that those in power do try to “re-invent the wheel” and I do not understand why someone does not stand up and speak out against the waste of time, effort and money. Sad to say, i guess it is all about making a living no matter what the cost!

By: Barbsharon

Barbsharon — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:30:00 +0000

Ok, I will probably be the only nay-sayer here, but, honestly, if I were in a class to learn something new, I would want the teacher to TEACH me, not the other students. We have so many new methods of teaching, but our students are still graduating from high school unable to read and write on a level that truly prepares them for college and we are running around chasing our tails trying to find new, exciting ways of teaching. Just doesn’t make sense to me. Just saying…

(I have had 35 years of teaching experience, by the way.)

By: RuDog

RuDog — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 02:09:00 +0000

I’ve noticed the “re-invent the wheel” aspect of the educational scene. I’m 71 years old and still teaching. I remember this strategy from when I was in school more than half a century ago. I’ve lived and taught in six different cultures, so I’ve noticed that one thing that distinguishes American culture is that, like me, it doesn’t have much of a memory.

By: Ida

Ida — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:47:00 +0000

Why are teachers always so snap-happy and so unwilling to be excited when someone adopts a new-to-them strategy that helps engage students. It’s so discouraging to hear…

By: Drloomac

Drloomac — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:55:00 +0000

Mean-spirited. If the technique is not widely known or practiced, then obviously there are those who can benefit from increased awareness – anytime. Perhaps this article will spare someone else from reinventing the wheel.

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:31:00 +0000

Twenty years ago, I became a teacher at a high school in Houston. All my history students , 40 plus, spoke and understood very little English. I had them study in groups exactly like this article suggest is a new technique. Please stop reinventing the wheel and using it to write an article to avoid publish or perish. Thanks.