Rita is a low class girl wanting to study so as to get a better way of living, not regarding money but knowledge about what she calls ‘everything’. She is the type that reads people, I mean, she understands how the world works and she wants to build her own future. Frank is a university teacher, very concerned about his routine and not very fond of teaching just for pleasure, just because of money instead.
The first approach of the play shows us the cultural clash between Rita’s dreams about studying and Frank’s frustration about teaching. From the very beginning we can infer that the experience of the characters will be enriching not only to Rita who may expand her knowledge and may polish her language, but also to Frank who may learn about social interaction and everyday world.
Have you ever thought about how your students influence your life more than expected?
The first approach of the play shows us the cultural clash between Rita’s dreams about studying and Frank’s frustration about teaching. From the very beginning we can infer that the experience of the characters will be enriching not only to Rita who may expand her knowledge and may polish her language, but also to Frank who may learn about social interaction and everyday world.
Have you ever thought about how your students influence your life more than expected?
8 comments:
I really think that in the teaching process whenever teaching someone, not only the person being taught but the teacher can learn as well. The main difference is that students learn from their teachers by default, but teachers need to be humble enough to recognize they can learn from the people they teach to and never belive they know everything!
Yohi, i know you are one of those teachers taht are humble enough to learn, you will make a big difference in the lives of those you will teach!!!!
keep it real
Dave!
I can tell you my students keep influencing my life beyond my expectations year after year, Yoha, and I'm really proud of that, believe me! 8-D
Do you think we might also expect Frank to "expand his knowledge and vocabulary", and Rita to "learn about social interaction and the world"?
I'd also like to ask you:
1. What do you think Rita means by "everything"?
2. Any ideas of why Frank might be finding teaching frustrating?
BTW, David's idea that good teachers also see themselves as learners is certainly worth highlighting! :-D Now, I wonder how many learners are ready to see themselves as their teacher's educators! Have you ever thought about that?
See you around in cyberspace (and in class!)
LOL,
Gladys
Hi everyone!
Thanks for passing by...
Regarding your questions Gladys, it is important to highlight that both, Frank and Rita, as any other teacher-student relationship, will learn and influence each other; i.e. both will teach and learn something, when learning they will improve what theyu already came with.
Rita wants tpo amke the difference in her own life, she needs to know "everything" taht she considers relevant. Being brought up in a limited environment made her need to look for answers beyond her own background. Those answer that now she is looking for at Frank's are everything to her.
Finally, lack of motivation or love for what we do may frustrate our own attitude towards life, that may be a reason for Frank's frustration. However, I am not quite sure of that, even having read the scene for another time.
I hope you can get it better now!
LOL
Yohi
Hi once again!
It is interesting to notice that the idea that teachers (can)always learn from their students was unacceptable within pedagogic models, and can only be considered once students gained a more central role in education, Yoha... (remember our discussions on "teaching models" last year?)
You say Rita's been "brought up in a limited environment", but haven't we all? What I meant to ask her is whether you think she's interested in learning facts about Literature, for instance, or something else...
I certainly like your speculation on reasons for Frank being frustrated, BTW. As we get ahead in the play, we'll get to learn more about this... This is no minor issue, you know: since you've said Frank is also a learner in this relationship, we need him to be motivated so that he actually learn, don't we?
Love,
Gladys
PS: going further - if teachers are responsible for motivating students in their classes, who's responsible for motivating teachers in a school?
Hi everybody!
Well, let's see...
First of all, I do remember old viewpoints, but let me tell you that many hundreds years ago they also believed that the earth was flat and not because of that we still believe that; do we? To me, teachers can learn much more than what they’ve ever thought about.
Then, it is important to highlight that in the case of Rita, lack of support of her family instead of limiting her gives her the tools to try to improve and to become better through studying. How many of us, even brought up in a limited environment, face reality in this way and try to improve????
Finally, when we choose our careers we had our own motives, for they time being I consider that those motives should be more than enough to keep you up and running. Aren’t they????
Thanks for making me think, and make my motives even stronger.
LOL
Yohi
Hi again, Yohana!
Just two points about your last comment:
1. We know the Earth is not flat, but we believe teachers and learners can learn from each other... That's a big difference, I'd say!
2. I was quite puzzled by your statement that "our own motives, ... should be more than enough to keep (us)up and running". Does this mean you don't believe your teachers are responsible for motivating you as a learner? Would never have guessed so!
Sleep tight! (I will, right now!)
Fondly,
Gladys
Hi again!!!! hahaha :)
In my last post "us" means teachers and in my particular case teacher to be,since this was the answer to your question about who motivates teachers.... I hope it's clearer now....
I trully believe that teachers motives to become such should be enough for motivation.
I do understand the difference between the earth and the point being discuss but I was trying to paraphrase or exemplified why I took for granted that kind of relations.
Hope I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
LOL
Yohi
In an attempt to finish this discussion, just let me say that:
1. As Aristotle has stated, "we cannot ascertain the functions of human beings", and as a consequence "nothing can be taken for granted" when human relations are involved.
2. If I was certain all teacher trainees firmly believe "their reasons to become teachers should be enough motivation to get through college", I shouldn't have wasted a minute caring about the "motivation factor" in my teaching! However, I'm afraid you've not persuaded me, not even as far a you yourself are concerned!
This has been a most enriching discussion. Thanks for "keeping the ball rolling"!
Love,
Gladys
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