ESL Jobs Forum

[gharwell1]

I had a student say after class, That's F***ing life." I replied, "Yes, that is life," and it was over.

[arstar]

This one's tricky. Depends on a lot of factors, especially class dynamic. When I taught university ESL in the States, I taught any word I was asked about. The reason was that I want them to be aware of the context/usage of the word so that they don't accidentally offend someone. Some words were easier than others, and if I could I talked around it until they had their 'a-ha!' moment. And if it was a really big deal, like the use of 'the n word' or other racial slurs, I scrapped whatever we had planned and taught a lesson on it. (For example, lynchings, the Civil Rights movement, how loaded the term can be and how offensive/hurtful it can be, etc.)

So, I would use my judgment here. If there were students I was iffy about, I would tell the student to meet with me privately, along with anyone else who is interested. I think you can teach the meanings of this word without being offensive. If I was unsure though, I would err on the side of caution.

I do think it's our responsibility to teach all English words, not just those that are sanctioned. (After all, in an English Lit class, that word might easily come up in a reading.) Trick is to cover your a** at the same time!

If you want to keep the job, I'd apologize. Express regret at your misjudgment to both the school/boss/whoever and the students. You know, it wasn't my intention...I sincerely apologize...yadda yadda. Otherwise, chalk it up to mismatched teaching philosophies and move on.

Good luck!

[levaithan]

[levaithan]

[levaithan]

[levaithan]

[theblackpoet]

Whether you were right to include the content in your lesson or not depends upon the student's interest and willingness to have such content, the culture you were living and working in and the demographic make up of the group.

What I want to focus on is how this case illustrates the subservient obedient manner that EFL schools kowtow to the clients in attempt to please and appease their every whim and keep the money coming in regardless or business etiquette, legal issues and morals. Often the reason for needing to kowtow is the pathetically unprofessional management of the school leading to poor resources and demotivated teachers. However, the buck is passed and teachers are often blamed for the schools short-comings.

The action of your DOS was nothing short of desperation and fear of losing the contract. So much so, they were willing to fire you immediately, which, correct me if I am wrong, is probably in breach of Australian employment laws.

To the DOS, what a pathetic "yes man" you are. What was wrong with changing the teacher? Why couldn't you at least give the guy notice?

To the victim seek legal help, publish the name of the DOS and the school for all to see. As for the f word, can the client and the DOS swear (no pun intended) that they have never used it. I f***ing bet they can't.

[paul peters]

As a University English teacher I continually encounter students that use all kinds of questionable words…. including the f, c, n, trailer trash, son of a b, j.c., gdi, fu, h,….

I feel it’s my responsibility to clarify what is or isn’t appropriate. Western movies, song lyrics, various websites, friends, curiosity, and adolescence all contribute to where they may have acquired these words. Chances are most of my students have heard these words and welcome a sincere interpretation from a native English speaker. Some foreign based dictionaries, electronic translators, and text books are simply wrong. I also stress this is my opinion. In a different time, or culture, or country, or age group, other opinions may be just as valid.

I’m not an expert on politics, religion, or sex, but, when students ask me ‘how do Americans feel about the new black president?’, ‘How old were you when you started to date?’, ‘How much money do you make?’, ‘How can the virgin Mary have a baby?’ ‘What are your morals?’. ‘Do you think men should wash dishes and do laundry?’ These questions open doors for conversation/communication, and I welcome this.

Along with this, sometimes a student will adopt a dubious English name… Marijuana, Stud, Easy, Piano, or Money. I would not like to hear my students introduce themselves as ‘Hi, my name is Vodka, nice to meet you. How the f are you?’

good luck
peter

[taadams]

It would seem that good judgment should preclude any question as to what is appropriate in a classroom. A lot depends on the schools standards, of which I am certain you were instructed, or knew after 4 years.

I taught for many years in China, and there were questions I did not answer and subjects I did not breach. It is just common sense. Direct questions such as "Are you a Christian".. a simple yes was satisfactory. What I thought of any political person or issue. I did not give an answer other than, I am an English teacher, and my opinion is not backed by the entire truths that those at that level have, so I do not involve myself with those issues. The cultural differences in China are such that I explained in my first class, just what quesions were inappropriate to ask an American, anything personal, salary, costs of anything, age, or personal opinion about any ongoing National (Chinese) issue all verboten. It taught them more about cultural exchange than any intimate detail would.

I can't imagine such a need to open up communication and conversation when there are so many more appropriate and interesting subjects.

As far as teaching them swear words or even getting in that discussion, those questions could be asked outside of class, but in class, just telling them it was inappropriate conversation in a classroom setting. How difficult is that? Your job in teaching English is to teach communication skills, and no true literate person needs those words to communicate. In fact to discourage this as a necessary vocabulary would far better serve your students.

We aren't hired for sex education, or to cure or correct social ills. If any of you want to be a civics, sociology or philosophy teacher, then don't hide behind a TESOL class. I can't believe that so many so called English teachers prefer to use their opinion of all subjects other than English to persuade or become a lecturer of the social ills of the world. Leave it to those better prepared. Stick to teaching the skills you were hired to teach. Teaching English is not a broad brush in which your expertise in all things and all subjects becomes an essential part of your classroom.

On the subject of being terminated, I would say that was an over-reaction, but then I would have to ask, what other warnings were given, written or verbal on other classroom behavior. All Universities have a termination policy and it usually contains a 3 or 4 step system before termination. If not, check your contract, and see if you were illegally fired. I would bet you have some recourse if so.

[corbindoak]

I am a believer that it doesn't matter where you are. Bad language should never be used. I don't use it in my classes or in my daily life and therefore do not like hearing it either. I do however think that there should have been a warning of some kind in your case. Especially since you have been with them for 4 years. When one of my students uses a bad word in my class I get very serious and tell them I do not like to hear words like this. Please do not use them during my class.
_________________
Teacher, Photographer, Designer, (BFA, BBA, AS,TEFL)

[nobleignoramus]

Good students teach themselves what they need to communicate with others; a teacher's role is not to introduce them to new expressions as the students will hit upon them sooner or later on their own.

But a good teacher will guide them in what is, and what is not, acceptable under which circumstances.

SUrely the 'F-word' cannot be hidden from your students but you can give the students face by educating them towards not using it.

[chuckles]

Never swore, or attempted to explain swear words, in class. When asked by my students, I would say,"You go and ask your mother and father if it is ok for me to teach you about this." End of conversation, every time.

[prettysmartideas]

I don't teach swear words in class. If people ask me what "f***" means, I do explain that it refers to a sex act, and since we are in New York City, I explain that they may hear people of limited vocabulary using variations of this word as an adjective, a noun, or a verb. then I drop it.

when students swear in class (and some of them do seem to think that is the way to go), I stop and tell them that we will not use that kind of language in class. The most common retort is "Why not?", to which I answer that we are in a multi-culti class with many people who have many points of view and we are going to adhere to a mid-point which will be compatible with my conservative beliefs, i.e., no swearing.

Then we get the lesson on all the words that refer to swearing. (bad words, four-letter words, swearing, mouth like a truck driver, potty mouth, etc.)
Then we get the lesson about how if you swear in a foreign language it sounds 3 times stronger than it would if a native speaker did it, and that is not fair but it is what it is, and we talk about what it sounds like when a foreigner swears in their languages.

Then we come to the agreement that, if they swear in my class, offending my sensibilities, and, possibly, those of other people in the class who also paid money to be there, I will mark them absent, and, if they do it again, I will refer them to the director.

I have all kinds of students - Japanese hip-hop musician wannabes, Eastern Europeans of all orientations, Western European teenagers and anarchists, Mexican and South American workers, Asians of all backgrounds, orientations, and goals; serious students from all over the world -- my class must be middle of the road, as I do not wish to offend my women students in burkas and hijab, nor my evangelical Christian students, nor my pious Buddhists. I don't know where my Israeli students necessarily fall in the mix, nor where my Middle-Eastern men come in, but I go with a conservative Christian approach.

I explain that, although the students can hear people saying "Oh my God!" in movies and on TV, as well as all over New York City, we will do that in my class, as it is blasphemous. (we then discuss "blasphemy", then I explain that many Americans believe that we are not to say God's name unless we are praying or teaching about God; then I relate two anecdotes in which Americans actively protested the use of "oh my God" by foreigners of the Muslim persuasion -- a la "Excu-u-use me!!!! I do not say "Oh my Allah!,' so you will not say 'Oh my God!!" and I tell them that, now that they know this, they must make their own choices, understanding that many people will simply pull away from them and not want to talk to them, and that a few may actually speak out in defense of their faith; and that, meanwhile, we will all practice *not saying "Oh my God"* in my class.)

Then I teach all of the substitutes I can think of "Oh, Lord!" "Goodness me!" "Oh my gosh!" etc.

Interestingly, "oh my gosh!" has become a very popular term with a number of my students, a fact which tells me that I have done the job I came to do (I do not quiz my students on their religious orientations, so this particular lesson is usually the only indication that I ever get on where they are coming from)

Your mileage may vary
Margaret

[vegeterrible]

It's all about context.
- I fucked up, I fucking hate, fudge you; (these terms are found often in books (such as Feral Kid, which I read as part of year 7 syllabus))

It's just a word, it creates emphasis on emotions. All my students know the word and its meaning; I didn't teach them but I don't get upset if they use it. As long as it's not every second word that comes out of their mouth.
I know my boss would never terminate my contract over something as simple as that (lucky me). Hell, I know teachers who've slept with students and the boss doesn't care (adult students!).
Your boss needs a punch in the face! Serious!
I knocked out my old boss for coming in drunk, abusing students, etc...

[petertassiopoulos]