I want to teach English not American. How to deal with it?
Posted: 06 Jan 2007, 16:50
Hello Lucy,
Maybe you can assist me.
This could be considered a rant, but I'm very passionate about it.
I will, in February be studying for a CELTA qualification. Once I pass I'll be going to China.
Being an Englishman, a native of the home to the English language, England; I really want to teach English and not the altered secondary form of the language, American.
What happens in a case where for example I'm teaching colours and all the text books are incorrectly spelt colors?
Even worse what if the students tell me "You haven't spelt it right"?
How do I explain that a book isn't an English book, but an American book, when it uses of z instead of s, and a bike tyre has nothing to do with being tired?
Before applying for a job, should I tell the school that I would be teaching English?
It seems crazy that I’d have to tell them that.
I would feel as though my home country, culture and use of the English language would be disrespected if I were forced to teach a language other than English in my English classes.
English is English, not British English or any other kind of English. I'm English, I speak English not British English and I live in England. The clue is in the name.
I strongly feel that if people are to teach English, it should just be that. English should be first and foremost; Anything else should be acknowledged and taught as a variety of English and not by deception as English.
Thank you,
Lee.
Maybe you can assist me.
This could be considered a rant, but I'm very passionate about it.
I will, in February be studying for a CELTA qualification. Once I pass I'll be going to China.
Being an Englishman, a native of the home to the English language, England; I really want to teach English and not the altered secondary form of the language, American.
What happens in a case where for example I'm teaching colours and all the text books are incorrectly spelt colors?
Even worse what if the students tell me "You haven't spelt it right"?
How do I explain that a book isn't an English book, but an American book, when it uses of z instead of s, and a bike tyre has nothing to do with being tired?
Before applying for a job, should I tell the school that I would be teaching English?
It seems crazy that I’d have to tell them that.
I would feel as though my home country, culture and use of the English language would be disrespected if I were forced to teach a language other than English in my English classes.
English is English, not British English or any other kind of English. I'm English, I speak English not British English and I live in England. The clue is in the name.
I strongly feel that if people are to teach English, it should just be that. English should be first and foremost; Anything else should be acknowledged and taught as a variety of English and not by deception as English.
Thank you,
Lee.