Question 14:

Four high school teachers are discussing their views on various school subjects. Complete the sentences. Use each answer only once. You will not need two of the reasons.

In today's globalized world, it's unsurprising that there aren't more options for learning foreign languages at school. At the one I work in, we offer the option of taking French at the beginner or intermediate levels. However, there has been student petitions for more widely spoken languages like Mandarin and Spanish. I think that's just great. Being able to communicate in more than one language is an asset that should be encouraged and facilitated.

It can certainly give students a competitive edge in the job market in the future.

I was recently hired to work in an international school here. Students from all around the world take all of their subjects in English. While there are obvious benefits to this in an ESL classroom, I think there are downsides to learning other subjects in English. Let's take math and science as an example. Students who already find these subjects difficult in their first language may find them impossible in their second language. The added complication of learning technical words and ideas when they have not yet grasped concepts in their native tongue may result in lower grades.

I strongly believe that elective subjects need to be maintained in school systems. There are constant cuts to the arts and non-academic subjects, but these hold just as much value as science, history and geography. When I was in school, we were only required to take one credit of physical education for our four years of high school. However, that was in a different time. In an age where obesity is so high amongst young people, the government should make the course mandatory throughout high school to promote healthy lifestyles.

As a math teacher, I'm used to having to get through a great deal of material in a short timeframe. While I have some flexibility in how I teach the concepts, there's not much room for going off course in terms of precept material. We cover the basics like calculus and geometry, but I just wish we included more practical aspects like budgeting or taxes. Students need these skills in real life. One day I'd love to write my own curriculum, but I just don't have the time right now.

Question 15:

Speaker 1:

Listen to two teachers discussing their views on testing, read the statements and decide whose opinion matches the best. The man's, the woman's, or both?

Speaker 2:

I just had the most stressful class. My students are complaining that I give them way too much homework. They just don't understand how crucial it is to spend time outta class studying.

Speaker 3:

Oh, mine do the same. I agree with you though. There are not enough hours in a school day for a student to only practice their skills at school. It's incredibly important. How much homework did you actually give them?

Speaker 2:

Well, we have a history test this week, so ask them to review chapters one to six and make detailed notes.

Speaker 3:

Whoa. Okay. That is a lot. What kind of essay are you getting them to write on the test? That may be true, but is that actually helpful to their learning? Any robot can memorize dates and facts, but we need to be teaching them how to critically think and analyze information, and for us, subjective tests don't take much time to prepare at all.

Speaker 2:

Oh, I agree. There is no doubt in my mind that they are more useful for students. It's a skill that they need in post-secondary institutions. I just don't have the time to grade all of those papers. It takes me over a week to complete them all.

Speaker 3:

I have found a lot of inconsistencies in my grading. When I mark essays at different times, they need to be marked in one go or else it's not fair for the students.

Speaker 2:

That would be impossible for me to do. I can't focus for that long, nor do I have hours of free time. Looks like we are just going to have to disagree on this one.

Question 16:

Hi, Mr. Goer. Thanks for meeting with me before class today. As university applications are near, I've been reading up on different programs and potential schools. It's a really hard decision to make, so I've also been speaking to the guidance counselor and college admission staff for their suggestions too. In order to maintain my grades, I've been seeing a tutor for help with my math homework. I have these extra lessons four nights a week, and because of this, I've been having some difficulty keeping up with my assignments this semester. I know that our history project is due tomorrow, but I was wondering if I could submit it on Monday, although it's nearly finished, I know it's not going to get me the grade I need as is, so I would like to spend more time fine tuning it.

I know this is unconventional at such a last moment and that I won't be able to do this in university, but I hope you can understand my request. I'm aware that I still have a lot of learning to do before then. This, of course, goes beyond the math skills that I still don't understand. That's a piece of cake. In the larger scheme of things, I mean, I already think I'm a good problem solver. I know how to think outside of the box, which most people struggle with. The area that I will have to really improve in is my ability to organize my time effectively. I wish there was a class in Nat because it's the most difficult skill to acquire in my opinion.

Question 17:

As you know, our school has a strict zero tolerance policy on bullying. You have read about it in the teacher handbook, both when you were hired and every school year since. However, we have had a record number of instances this semester with students reporting instances of it both in and out of our schools. By your shocked faces, it seems that many of you are unaware. Unfortunately, your naivety is the reason for this meeting, as I must divulge the details of this particular situation.

With that being said, you may have an idea of what bullying looks like. The trope of this large, surly kid pounding on a smaller or smarter student probably pops into your head. While physical violence may have been the most obvious to discover and then punish back in our day, it is less common today. Same goes for verbal bullying. The phrase sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me, applies to kids today. They are less inclined to complain about mocking or maybe have gotten better at defending themselves.

What we are really struggling with these days is cyber bullying. How can we help our students who are being attacked on social media if it is not happening within the walls of our school? We must work harder to battle these issues.