>> ASIAONE / NEWS / EDUCATION / STORY
Wed, May 20, 2009
my paper
Kids' errors highlight teacher's failure

I REFER to the report, 'Teacher posts kids' errors on Facebook' (my paper, May 19).

The secondary-school teacher's posting of her students' English- language errors on Facebook is objectionable.

Such an action runs counter to what is expected of teachers, who should inculcate the values of responsibility and integrity in their charges.

They are supposed to inspire students to scale heights of academic excellence.

I agree with the Ministry of Education (MOE) that teachers should be role models and that they ought to uphold the integrity of the profession.

Students' errors are evidence that a teacher is not able to nurture her students.

From my experience as a teacher, students do not fail, but teachers fail their students. The teacher who posted her students' errors online is no exception. She has failed her students and her credibility as a professional is in doubt.

MOE's in-house journal, which is circulated to all in the teaching profession, could be used to share students' language errors and the steps taken to ensure such mistakes are not made in the future.

Teachers can also discuss ways to enhance students' linguistic competence.

This incident throws up another question for teachers. Why do students who have studied the English language for 10 years still make serious mistakes in grammar and syntax when they reach the O levels?

This should be addressed and a long-term perspective adopted when it comes to developing Singapore students' linguistic skills.

Mr S. Ganesamoorthy


For more my paper stories click here.

 
 
STORY INDEX
 
  Kids' errors highlight teacher's failure
   
 
  Chemical leak drives pupils from classrooms
   
 
  Hundreds of Malaysian students in US expected to return home soon
   
 
  Third medical school to be run by NTU
   
 
  Lower-cost degrees at home bring cheer to poly grads
   
 
  MIT named partner of new university
   
 
  Degrees for more poly grads
   
 
  Hard questions at light-hearted forum
   
 
  Looks aren't everything... really
   
 
  Coping with the flu
   
>> RELATED STORY
Kids' errors highlight teacher's failure
She amends answers in toilet
Teacher pleads guilty to altering PSLE scripts
Know a good English teacher?
I go online to destroy you

Elsewhere in AsiaOne...

Digital: Teacher posts her "Ah Lian" photos on blog

Multimedia: Diana

 

We welcome contributions, comments and tips.
a1admin@sph.com.sg