Class Time Reflections (Reading/Week11-3/23/2009)

This week, the class discussion about gender differences & literacy was interesting for me. In my opinion more than gender the issue is about individual differences. Some people are able to start to read or write early, while some of them are not. Similarly, some people are able to read and understand faster than others. I think these are quite normal and they are related with individual differences. As ESOL teachers being aware of this fact is essential. So that we can tailor our classes, accordingly. Although, it is a fact that there are individual differences among people. We still can help our students by exposing them literacy in early ages. For example, in Finland, the government changed the education policy and students started to learn in early ages (3 and 4). The results are great. Because, literacy and is not like riding a bicycle it is about providing input in various ways, using a variety of teaching methods and techniques and activate the potential of human beings.