Class Update

TEACHING ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25th
This is primarily a lecture/theory course, and although the professor asks questions, students don't seem to be required to participate (at least not from what I've observed in most classes). Moving on, Dr. Roters was discussing a language method that at one point was very common and was also very similar to what Pavlov did with his hound. She was explaining why this didn't work and how it created automated responses and that the speakers weren't able to produce the language for themselves, only respond to a preconditioned stimulus. Anyway, this is the example she gave:

Dr. Roters: "Now one reason this theory doesn't work is because the language learner isn't able to answer spontaneous questions. Maybe some of you," (there are about fifty people in this class), "have traveled or studied abroad in the United States, and if you have you've surely been to a grocery store. Of course you expect to stand in line, show them your things and then they'll tell you the amount, but what else do they ask?" No one says anything, we sit there, we wait and then she continues, "They ask 'debit or credit'. Now who can tell me the difference between debit or credit." Again, no one says anything... but I know this one :) .

Me: "Debit is money you have in your checking account and credit is money you don't have."

Dr. Roters: "Exactly, and if you ever purchase anything, nearly anything, in the United States you'll be asked this question." She pauses and looks at me sitting in the very back next to the two guys reading a magazine and then continues to say, "And I can tell by your accent that you've spent some time abroad. How long were in you in the United States?"

And I, with a very straight face reply: "Oh about twenty years."

It was at this point forty-nine faces turned to look and laugh as Dr. Roters face flushed.

Dr. Roters: "Oh, I'm so sorry! I should have known."

The next two minutes consisted of, "Oh, we have an American in class... let's all point and ask questions about American Pie and other U.S. teen movies that must be factual!"

Sometimes being an American is like being the bearded lady at a carnival. No one really wants to pay to see it, because it's just not that interesting, but if happens by you... you may as well get your kicks in.


IDEALISMUS UND EMPIRISMUS: DIENSTAG, 30 OKTOBER
I spent the an entire ninety-minute class period writing a single page on what I assume were the logical connections made by Hegel in his philosophical progression from logic (Logik) to nature (Natur), and finally nature to spirit (Geist)... in German. I had a German student read it after I was through, she said there were a lot of mistakes in it, but also that it was understandable. This was a vast improvement from the week before where my greatest classroom accomplishment included sleeping upright.