The Italian town of Amatrice had been devastated by an earthquake. Rescuers searching for survivors trapped in the rubble were constantly hampered by the risk of further collapse from aftershocks. The morning newspaper had dedicated a double spread to photos and stories of heartache and hope; news videos were being re-posted all over social media. It was early days: the death toll was still rising. "Can I mention the earthquake?" I was booked for a morning tutoring students preparing for their HSC Italian conversation exam. "No, no. They haven't prepared to say anything about that. Just stick to the topics. I've got some excellent students who should do really well." And they were excellent, and they will do very well. They spoke at length on the prescribed topics, with clever use of idiom and excellent knowledge of grammar. They spoke entirely about themselves: their family, friends, school subjects, past holidays and future plans, for the allotted 5 minutes. We made no mention of the earthquake.
There was no space in the prescribed curriculum to acknowledge the plight of the native speaker; no time for a sympathetic word. No thought to identifying to any degree with the unfolding tragedy in the land they knew better for its cultural icons, food and fashion sense. This is also a tragedy. To study a language intensely for 2 years, maybe more, and to be assessed on the basis of how well you can talk about yourself. No thought for the 'other'. No place for empathy. As Christian teachers concerned with the moral and spiritual formation of our students, we can and should do better to engage them with the practice of hospitality through our language teaching, not as an artificial tack-on, but in the lived repertoire of classroom experience. It requires Christian imagination and creativity to do so within the constraints of a mandated curriculum, but I believe it is possible. Will you take up the challenge? Libby Colla
8 Comments
kerrie
9/9/2016 06:44:59 pm
Yes!
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Libby
9/9/2016 09:41:13 pm
That's great Kerrie! Would love you to share any ideas you develop.
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Helen Somerville
12/9/2016 09:08:53 pm
This is s good read Libby. It must have been so frustrating for you to have to listen to all the self-centred conversation so rehearsed..
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Libby
12/9/2016 09:25:13 pm
Feeling encouraged reading your comment, Helen. Thanks!
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Rachel
21/9/2016 01:13:09 pm
So important to remind students about being one part of a conversation! At a beginner level, I encourage my students to learn questions to ask after they have spoken about themselves. "And you? What is your favourite colour? What do you look like? What do you believe in?" After all no one likes being on a date when all the other person does is talk about themselves!
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Libby
21/9/2016 05:10:10 pm
Great ideas. Thanks Rachel
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Kristy
4/3/2020 03:46:03 pm
Yes! The wider focus — beyond the individual and his/her personal experience — is one aspect of the IB course that I have really appreciated, since beginning to teach the course in 2016. I listened to a fascinating podcast, a couple of weeks back, on this precise topic! Here's the link: https://www.publicchristianity.org/the-christian-classroom/
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Libby
15/7/2020 08:50:24 pm
Thanks for the link Kristy! I will check it out.
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