Grammar & Politics in the Language Classroom
moderated by Sonia S’hiri, Lecturer of Arabic
Panel of Respondents
Sarah Roberts, French
Hatem Bazian, Arabic
Jaleh Pirnazar, Persian
Yoko Hasegawa, Japanese
Sam Mchombo, African Languages
Are you the kind of instructor who takes great care in keeping politics of all sorts outside the language classroom or are you the kind that wishes he/she could bring in more materials that address relevant political issues? Do you find that the country or countries whose language you teach advocates gender, religious, ethnic or social politics with which you agree/disagree? Does that reflect in your teaching of this language or do you keep as “neutral” a stance as your circumstances permit? Does bringing up issues that may be perceived as political encroach on teaching grammar and vocabulary? What value is there for bringing in/leaving out politics for the student of the foreign/second language classroom? This panel of Berkeley language instructors will explore some of the practices and perceptions regarding politics in the language classroom.
Friday, November 18, 2005
3-5pm, 370 Dwinelle Hall