Do you think its right to dumb down a subject
By enigmatic7
@enigmatic7 (132)
Saudi Arabia
November 11, 2007 8:50am CST
Do you think its right to dumb down a subject because majority of the students cannot cope with the required level mainly due the fact that their English is weak.
I find it really frustrating that I have to simplify business/economics/managemtn course to a ridiculous level because students have poor English its the first time they are being taught a completely new subject in English. Most places I have worked ask me to simplify things but i feel sorry for the one or two bright and capable fluent students that do not reach their full potential, although I try to assign them separate assignments according to their level of English.
But what happens is that theses students often graduate with a degree or diploma with hardly any knowledge or skills associated with their degree, its shameful and I think the English factor is an excuse for private institutions to please hter student/customers and make money.
What are your views and does such stuff go on where you live?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
12 Nov 07
You know what the problem is with dumbing down a subject? It leads to dumbing down of even more subject. If the student does not have the capability to take a subject and it is a language problem, then they should spend a semester or 2 concentrating on mastering the language so that they can go on to master other things.
I have taken college courses, where many of the students have had several semesters or years of similar classes, yet I always ended up at the top of the class. I do work at it, but it sad that I can come in off the street, no background and do better then these people.
I find it frustrating.
@enigmatic7 (132)
• Saudi Arabia
13 Nov 07
I totally agree. But the students are reluctant to spend a year studying only English so they take classes alongside the other subjects that means the first year subjects teacher suffers. I have a student who is just in another league and I feel really bad for her but she she's a great sport and helps the rest of the class with translation. But I seriously wonder at the level of skills these students will graduate with. Their whole primary secondary education system is messed up and we're meant to have all the solution at the higher education level..i dont think so.
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
13 Nov 07
They should not be given a choice. Dumbing down hurts everyone. Maybe they can take other classes as well, not just English.
I assume you are talking at the college level. Maybe the can do some intro to computer classes or classes that are not sequential. A one credit course in Study techniques. Maybe after the 1st semester, they could pick up a writing course in English of course.
Many kids after high school have to take non-credit courses before they move on.
I myself have a Master's degree, but am planning on going into nursing, my last science courses were taken in the 60's. I will need to take 3 semesters of Chemistry and biology to get started in the program.
@xcellen (204)
• Indonesia
12 Nov 07
Yeah I think that would be alright, its better for them to understand little than understand none..
Or maybe you give them the material in language that they can understand, so most of your student can understand the material that you give.., and give them simple task in English just to brush up their English skill
Or you can teach partially half in their language and half still in English, so they can understand the material and still learn English
:)
1 person likes this
@Soniasony (1827)
• India
11 Nov 07
Actually this a common problem in lot of places..but as far as i have seen..people with poor english are not at all a poor performers..yes i do agree they find it it hard to express themselves than others do..but there are examples of people performing better or the rather the best..so we cannot afford dumb down these people they are out of skills..
@GardenGerty (161006)
• United States
12 Nov 07
It probably does not do justice to the students or the school to do this. In the US in some colleges, students, for whatever reason, be it language or lack of preparation, have to take what they call developmental classes before they can take the full credit classes. In the example you are giving, students would be required to take developmental English and pass it, before they could take other classes for credit. I agree with other posters who say that that contributes to the total dumbing down of everything else. I can understand you being frustrated.
1 person likes this
@karendva (118)
• United States
11 Nov 07
I live in Florida so that will explain a lot because we deal with the English factor on a day to day basis. I have no problem with students getting a different version of something with assistance from someone that speaks their language as long as they are also trying to learn the English language. My problem lies with when people play the "no speak English" card to get out of things or even to get things. I do feel sorry for those that do understand English fully because I think that alot of times they do get slighted.
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