tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056169221809262733.post7938681614499176041..comments2023-09-05T06:15:03.447-07:00Comments on Language Education: Humor in classAntônio Trevisan Teixeirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11898542851006103803noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056169221809262733.post-11324970715018911642009-07-14T10:42:13.379-07:002009-07-14T10:42:13.379-07:00I totally agree with you, Tarak, that authority is...I totally agree with you, Tarak, that authority is a big issue in this discussion. Everything we do (and don't do) in class has a lot to do with the way with see ourselves as teachers.<br /><br />I just wanted to acknowledge that authority is a hard issue to address. Don't you feel so? "Authority" can be a scary word for many of us and history has given us good reasons to have a bad impression about the concept. However, having authority is different from being authoritarian. <br /><br />Teachers have authority as they are supposed to be leaders in the groups they teach. And, as leaders, their role is to promote the "full citizenship" of the other members in that group/community up to the point all citizens also become leaders themselves.<br /><br />This view challenges the role of teachers as source and givers of knowledge, the ones who have the control over everything, including - if possible- humor! It seems that this control is not possible though.<br /><br />Interesting how students may use humor to challenge this traditional belief and practices in class, whenever they feel understimated.<br /><br />Using humor as a tool is an important point. I also think teachers shouldn't convert into "entertainers". There is a reason for us to play with the language, etc..<br /><br />Thanks for the comment! I'll take a look at the references/names you gave us.Antônio Trevisan Teixeirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11898542851006103803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056169221809262733.post-38525154766972898782009-07-12T09:07:35.406-07:002009-07-12T09:07:35.406-07:00Hi Antonio,
I totally agree with you that humor sh...Hi Antonio,<br />I totally agree with you that humor should be part of our teaching and classroom practices because of the benefits that you pointed out in your article. Some teachers were averse to use humor in the past because it was considered as something that could challenge their position as nonnegotiable authorities in the classroom environment. As the focus has shifted to learners’ needs, teachers now tend to see humor more as a helping factor. <br />Besides, some teachers’ claim that humor is innate and not acquired is being challenged (‘An article by Dr Low Guat Tin reported that ‘the ability to use humour is a skill that can be acquired : http://www.ite.edu.sg/~able/webshr12.htm). Well-prepared and thoughtful use of humor can be really beneficial as you made it clear. "The job of the teacher is to get students laughing, and when their mouths are open, to give them something on which to chew." which was quoted by Tom Davis, implies that humor can be even used as a tool rather than just a digression from the seriousness of learning. <br />Thanks Antonio for drawing our attention to such an important issue.<br /> Looking forward to reading more of your articles.The Tunisian English Teaching Forumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12304318540514288386noreply@blogger.com