Optional Assignments

Questions

1. How will you evaluate the quality of the Russian education both on secondary and higher levels? What are we to do to improve the situation?

2. What do you think is a primary task of the teacher?

3. Competence is a priceless ingredient of good teaching. But competence itself is only half of the story. The other half of the story is known what to do with the competence one has. What do you think about this problem?

4. All members of the teaching profession are certainly aware of the fact that teaching can be both rewarding and disheartening. There are numerous challenges, small victories and defeats. What examples can you give in connection with it? What are the pros and cons of teaching?

5. The teacher-student relationship is a kind of tight-rope to be walked. A teacher knows how carefully he must choose a word, a gesture. He understands the delicate balance between friendliness and familiarity, dignity and aloofness. What is your opinion on the point?

6. Why are the graduates of pedagogical institutes reluctant to be teachers?

16. Read the text and do the follow-up.

Reflective piece from Wednesday
Lowell VanDerlip
Published: Thu Mar 1 20:40:43 2001

Yesterday I visited School 15 and observed in grades 2 and 5 in the subjects of reading, English language, and mathematics. Today we visited a “traditional” but very exceptional kindergarten. Actually both schools are exceptional. To enter School 15 children are “interviewed” to assure that they have a good requisite skills and record to be successful. Both schools might be termed magnet schools in the US and are popular with parents and recognized in the community for their excellence. The kindergarten draws more from wealthier families, as part of the cost must be borne by the family. Neither accepts “sick” students — those with “psychological” or other disabilities. The Russians, for the most part, have other schools for the children we would mainstream. However, once a child begins attendance at either of these schools the schoool accepts them as “our” children and makes every effort to support their success. I got the impression that few if any children fail or drop out once accepted into their programs.

Physically the buildings are unimpressive. In fact they would be considered substandard or shabby by American standards. I guess shabbby goes too far. The insides of the buildings are kept clean and the buildings are well cared for with limited means. Floors are uneven, linoleum is worn, window glass is cracked and left unrepaired. I’m sure there are many safety regulations that would cause them to be shut down if they were located in America. Nonetheless, the environment inside is wonderful. Every classroom enjoys a wall of glass to the outside (the Russians use double glass to protect from the cold). A doily-like curtain graces each window. The inside lights are left off during the day, but natural light is sufficient and much more pleasant for humans than the excessive electric light we provide. Rooms are spare, to say the least. Materials are few. Children work at tables or empty desks, bringing their materials to classes. There are no messy desks in classrooms. There is nothing to make a mess with! There is a sense of orderliness and simplicity that, believe it or not, is refreshing. Bulletin boards are practically non existent, though a few posters or national epigrams encouraging hard work and learning may be found on the walls. It is a sharp contract to the “busy-ness” of the typical American class. By comparison, we seem to have a compulsion to decorate and to load our classrooms with furniture, computers (I did not see a single computer in a classroom) and a plethora of instructional materials. And you know what? The lack of materials didn’t matter. In fact, it may have been a plus. Less is more. Children were not bored because the environment wasn’t stimulating. They were engaged and, by all indications, happy with the work they were doing.

When you walk into a Russian class all the children stand. When they give answers (“recite”) children stand. In all of the classes I’ve attended in the last few days, I have not seen a single discipline problem. Not one. And the children are not that way because they are terrified. I saw a lot of smiles. The children were very engaged. Their work products were excellent. Art work in particular, met a very high standard. Classes were teacher directed. The English language class both at kindergarten level and grade 2 had children playing games with language, singing, reciting, using puppets. Teaching was such that activities were fun but there was no nonsense. And it was clear from the response of the children that they enjoyed learning English. All learning, in whatever areas seemed to be pursued to a level of excellence. And it was clear they loved having visitors and talking with us!

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