Taboos And Issues: Photocopiable Lessons On Controversial Topics (ltp Instant Lessons)

IT E E h ts = fl = f5 fl- l- l-. r= l-r ll= l- Taboos and lssues l- lq tF L r- Richard MacAndrew Ron Martinez b. fFr rrr' F= l-r r* tEr l-l 1ll- l-. r l-r rl-! 11tEl E t- E E ll- 1- F THOIVTSON =+--.- HEINLE AustraliaCanada Mexico SingaporeSpain UnitedKingdom UnitedStates lntroduction Introduction Methodology Teachersoften complain that teaching materials are bland and devoid of the very topics we discuss in our daily lives. The title of this book suggests that the material covers controversialand difficult issueswhich studentsmay be reluctantto discuss. Many of the issuesare indeedcontroversialbut the materialis in no way intendedto shock.In fact, the contents closely resemblethose we find in our newspapersevery day. It is expected that this material will be used by experienced teachers. The teachers' notes, therefore, have been kept to a minimum and comprise only short notes, the answers, and occasionalextra ideas. 1. terboossuch as swearing, talking about death and prostitution a w i d e r c l a s sd i s c u s s i o n . Bearingin mind the sensitivenature of many of the topics, we suggestit will usually be best to start by asking studentsto think silently about some of the questionsbefore they are asked to say anything at There are good reasonswhy general classroom all. They then work in pairs and small groups m a t e r i a l s a v o i d t o p i c s w h i c h m a y l e a d t o before the topic is opened up to the whole class. embarrassment or friction in the classroom.Many In a similar way, with the reading texts, students teachersmay be hesitant to use such materials. often work in pairs, with each reading a different However, many more experienced teachers short text, which they then report to their partner, recognise the motivational value of materials before the material is dealt with in the whole class. which more closelyreflectthe real world. During individual or pair work, monitor what is This book presents just such stimulating and happening. You may wish to help out with r e l e v a n t t o p i c s . T h r e e b r o a d c a t e g o r i e s a r e languagewhere necessary,but you can also judge covered: whetherand how the topic(s)can be openedout to It goes without saying that, as the teacher, you 2 . s e r i o u s i s s u e s s u c h a s r a c i s m a n d g e n e t i c should remain neutral throughout any discussions, engineering seekingonly to encouragestudentsto expresstheir 3. personal matters such as appearance,hygiene views. and nudity. The materiirl is not intended to form the basisof a course but a resource from which teachers can, with their students, select topics which interest them. The material should only be used with classesyou know well and where the studentsare sensitiveenough to respectand trust both you and their fellow students.Even then, you must use the material sensitively. Individual students or membersof their family or close friends may have immediate,personal,even painful, experienceof many of the topics. In some cases,you may want to checkwith an individual studentbeforeusing a particulartopic in class.It is essentialthat teachers remain alert for difficulties. If a particular issue becomestoo sensitive,the teachermust be willing to abandonthe topic and be preparedto move on to somethingcompletely different. Studentswill often have strongly-held views and possiblyprofound personalexperienceswhich they are willing to share