It might be the best if one could avoid sensitive issues regarding the target country or culture, but I think it's also a great opportunity for students to express their opinions eagerly. When students have so much to say about a topic, they don't pay attention too much to the form, and I think it's a good thing here.
There are sensitive issues teachers face regardless of which language is being taught. German teachers must often deal with the Nazi Period and the Holocaust, French teachers have immigration issues, etc.
There are sensitive issues teachers face regardless of which language is being taught. German teachers must often deal with the Nazi Period and the Holocaust, French teachers have immigration issues, etc.
- Do we avoid the sensitive topics altogether?
- How can such topics be covered to which students may have strong emotional reactions?
- At what level(s) should such topics be discussed?
- Should political issues be dealt with in class?
- What opportunities can such topics present?
Here is a topic I recently had to deal with.
As you may know, Japan supports dolphin and whale hunting.
This is my personal opinion. →
"I understand that Australia is not happy about this, but they shouldn't interpret the news in a wrong way on purpose. The Japanese guys on the video are described as "crazy men", but all they are saying is "go back, it's not your business", which anybody would say when their work was interrupted. Personally, I think it is so wrong that the woman is crying over the dolphins, while Australians are consuming millions of cows' worth of "Aussie beef" back home. "
When having discussions in class, there are some points I want my students to talk about.
- Are you for or against hunting whales? Why or why not?
- Why do you think Japanese government allows fishers to fish them?
- Do you think the whale hunting in Japan is associated with Japanese culture?
Posts
