http://www.japantefl.com/2007/06/23/tefl-training-classes-bitch-moan/ Adventuring and Teaching in Japan Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:01:21 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://www.japantefl.com/2007/06/23/tefl-training-classes-bitch-moan/comment-page-1/#comment-38 cat Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:30:51 +0000 http://www.japantefl.com/2007/06/23/tefl-training-classes-bitch-moan/#comment-38 Yes, I love how institutes of higher ed are always concerned with whether something is academic enough or not. Thing is, all learning is valuable and important. In fact, I have said during my years of teaching that in university English composition classes, I am teaching a second language--academic language. It's a language only academics use. So when does something become academic? When you write "however" instead of "but"? Or "pedagogy" instead of "teaching"??? I am afraid that emphasis on academic English scares a lot of talented learners away from pursuing college degrees. I wish higher ed and real life could work on finding a more common ground. Yes, I love how institutes of higher ed are always concerned with whether something is academic enough or not. Thing is, all learning is valuable and important. In fact, I have said during my years of teaching that in university English composition classes, I am teaching a second language–academic language. It’s a language only academics use. So when does something become academic? When you write “however” instead of “but”? Or “pedagogy” instead of “teaching”??? I am afraid that emphasis on academic English scares a lot of talented learners away from pursuing college degrees. I wish higher ed and real life could work on finding a more common ground.

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