7. Unofficial Suggestions

Samuel Bester, Chairman of the Language Arts Department, sat in at Sylvia's lesson, For the school authorities he wrote a formal Observation Report. To Sylvia he gave a list of unofficial suggestions:

1. Relating questions to the pupils' own experiences is first rate, but don't let them run away with you. They often do it to delay a lesson.

2. Don't allow one student to monopolise the discussion. Call on the non-volunteers too.

3. Always ask the question first; then only call on a student by name, thus engaging the whole class in thinking. Avoid elliptical, or vague questions, such as: "How do you feel about this poem?"

4. Your unfailing courtesy to the students is first rate. A teacher is frequently the only adult in the pupil's environment who treats him with respect.

5. Enthusiasm is contagious. I'm glad you're not ashamed to show you are moved by emotion or excited by ah idea.

6. The less a teacher talks the better the teacher. Don't feed them, elicit from them. Learning is a process of mutual discovery for teacher and pupil. Keep an open mind to their unexpected responses.

7. Don't allow the lesson to end on the wrong note.

8. Your quick praise of pupil effort and your genuine interest in what they say are first rate. There is no question in my mind but that you are a born teacher.

Samuel Bester

COMMENTARY

United Federation of Teachers: a trade union organisation of American teachers

scope: ability to understand, extent of knowledge

motivate and distribute books: to give reasons for the choice of books and hand them out to the pupils

insuperable odds: difficulties that cannot be overcome

brilliantly endowed teacher: a wonderfully talented teacher

clerical work: connected with the work of a clerk

Board of Education: рада з питань освіти

forte: one's strong point

There is a premium on conformity, and on silence. Those who obey the rules and keep silent are rewarded.

Admiral: the nickname of the Principal of Calvin Coolidge School

He issued a manifesto... "He gave an order..."

...students are "unauthorised": "...students are forbidden (have no right, are not permitted) (to enter the school building)

All but: almost, nearly

drive smb. nuts: to drive smb. mad

WORDS AND WORD COMBINATIONS

Syllabus, grade, homeroom chores, curriculum, load, suggestion box, dropout, Chairman of the language arts department, observation report, call on smb., volunteer.

EXERCISES

1. Study the text carefully and answer these questions.

1. What makes Sylvia doubt that there will be great changes in the public high school system in the near future?

2. What aim does the English syllabus set the teacher?

3. Why is it so difficult to imbue the pupils with a love for literature?

4. What is the background of the majority of American children?

5. Are there any good teachers in Calvin coolidge High School?

6. How does Sylvia characterice them?

7. How much time to New York City high school teachers devote to ' homeroom chores?

8. How much would it cost the city to reduce the size of classes by a single child throughout the city?

9. What did Sylvia install the Suggestion Box for?

10. What does Sylvia mean by saying "but a few are beginning to emerge"?

11. Why is she still the Alien and the Foe to most of the children?

12. What is the most frightening thing about her pupils?

13. How does she account for their passiveness?

14. What rules must the teachers and pupils abide by?

15. Who makes up the greater part of the dropouts in New York City?

16. What did Aristotle say about educators? Do you share this view?

17. How does one of Sylvia's students account for his not having done the homework?

18. What is it that Alice Blake wanted an English teacher to have?

19. What suggestions did Samuel Bester make after he had sat in at Sylvia's lesson?

20. What are the most important suggestions in you opinion?

21. What did Bester like about Sylvia's lesson?

22. Do you think Mr Bester was right in saying that Sylvia was a born teacher?