originally published in ELT NEWS printed magazine.
Educators of times past gone have always been depicted amidst the surroundings of literary works. Their receding foreheads and hunched backs are illustrated prominently as they are presented in such a fashion as to infer that their everyday occurrences strictly revolve around the never-ending accumulation of knowledge. Their lengthy beards and withered spectacles, a symbol of dedication to the sciences, literature and arts, have inspired younger scholars of our days to follow suit. Enter Artificial Intelligence (AI) along with other modern technological advancements, which expose humanity’s potential to levels of evolution never before conceived. Research requires mere minutes, if not seconds to complete. Whereas, educators of old would dedicate hours or even days to simply gain access to materials and bibliography usually restricted to an entitled few. Ah yes, we now live in the Golden Age of Information and Innovation. ELT has thrived in this context as the blooming question arises, ‘Do we need to uphold or even surpass our personal limitations as educators?’
by Katherine Reilly, originally published by ELT NEWS printed magazine.
As educators, we often contemplate the necessity of implementing supplementary materials to enhance and appease our students’ potential for learning. However, burdening ourselves with another ‘measly’ task while stacks of uncorrected papers demand our immediate attention is, in itself, a deterrent. Besides, we were told our shiny new textbooks are jam-packed with all the extra tools we need to offer students the most innovative and satisfying approach to embedding the language they so desire to command. ELT publishers have, without a doubt, made incredible advancements in offering the most accessible venue to learning, establishing their textbooks as the backbone of many language programs. Notwithstanding this marvelous feat, there are shortcomings which must be addressed, and addressed they shall! Fear not my disgruntled colleagues; when burdened with extra work, we always take it in our stride and never crib about it.