Irritating student e-mail.
I got this irritating e-mail from a (?) student today giving me “suggestions” for how I teach my class. This is pretty presumptuous. I wrote back, which may be useless. Here’s my letter:
Dear student(s),
I think it is really surprising that you wrote me a letter telling me how I should teach my class. Do you write your Chinese teachers these kinds of letters? I find this a bit astonishing. But, to answer a few of your concerns, let me say these things:
1) This is a class designed for non-English majors. It is not an English class, nor is it designed to teach English. Therefore, it is more appropriate to show documentaries with subtitles so students can follow the material. Also, the subtitles on VCD materials cannot be turned off.
2) If there is anything you would like to know about the films that I do not cover, you can raise your hands and ask about it in class. It is impossible for me to know what all students would like to know. I have made it clear that I WANT students to ask as many questions as possible. As mature students, it is your responsibility to be proactive and ask any questions that you would like to have answered.
3) As far as speaking in class goes, this is not an oral English class. Again, if students want to speak more, it is their responsibility. There are also opportunities in class to answer questions, and students can answer them briefly, if their English is not so good, or in detail, if their English is better, or they feel more like stretching themselves.
4) Also please remember that this is an elective class, and if you feel the material or teaching methods are unsuitable for you, you can choose to take another course instead.
Best,
MFC
Here’s the student’s (students’?) e-mail:
Subject : suggestions about the course of American film
Dear Mary,
In my opion,the chinese transcrpts in the film you played for us will hinder us from understanding what the narrator tell in english in the film.the narrator speaks so quickly,and when we concentrate on our attentions to the chinese transcripts on the screen,the narrator’s words slipped away before we are concious of it.but if the transcripts show us in english,we can follow the narrator’s introduction and can understand the film better.besides,we can improve our english at the meantime.
I also hope that you could analyze to film we just watched.you could tell me about its backgrounds,its story,and the features of characters.and you could also teach us how to admire that movie.what characteristics does it have?that movie enlighten something to us?
In class,maybe you could activate the students to get involved in the discuss about the lessons.I know you want us to know more about American films,but,if you do not combine the practice of speaking or writing english with the introduction and appreication of Amerian films,I don’t think it is necessary to arrange a teacher ,who speaks english as his native language, to give lecture to us.
Above is just my point of view.maybe you could give some attentions.I am a student of yours.and I am too shy to speak english in class.terrible.I think most chinese students are in the same situation.my english is very very poor.I desperately want help from you.I want more chances to speak egnlish.because I almost never “speak”english.so I expect a lot to the class.
I do think you teach good in class.you have prepared a lot for the class.we all like your teaching,really.we just think you could teach better and best:)
Best regards