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So I teach English to a really smart high school class, and every week I want them to write in journals about various topics. The purpose of this is to practice English, but I'm also really curious about what they might have to say on various difficult/controversial/creative topics.
So... any ideas?
I'm posting this here because I'm looking for topics that might fit into this section of the forum.
I'd suggest looking at what is controversial in their country (ie. what they talk about on the news) and asking the students to write about that. Maybe put the topic in the format of a hypothetical scenario in which the students are forced to make a decision of one way or the other that relates to said topic.
Oh man, they used to make us do this all the time back at my normal highschool. I hated it so much. By giving you ideas I feel like I'm committing sin against my comrades.
Why did you hate it? Tell me tell me... I def don't want to make them do something they won't like.
^^
Teenager + work = pure hatred/rage
:P If that's all you got then that isn't helpful. These are really motivated kids, anyway, compared with regular high schoolers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hercuflea
Religion? Atheism vs. Theism?
Space? Whether or not they believe in other life? Why/why not?
Politics of their country? American or other country politics (whether they actually know anything about American politics is another matter... but then again, they're not American :lol: )?
Music? Favourite musicians? Favourite eras of music (classical, blues, jazz, classic rock, etc.)? Why they like [genre] over other genres?
Language? Whether or not they like learning English? Whether or not they think it's detrimental to their lives?
Just some food for thought.
Being unmotivated and disliking work are separate things.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mes Tarrant
I hated it because although I am a relatively proficient writer, I felt constrained due to the topics that were given to me. I like writing about things that are my ideas so I can let my imagination roam. It's like my imagination was put in a box.
Whether abortions are or are not ethical and why.
I am a proficient writer as well, and one thing you have to realize is that to feel constrained is just an illusion of inexperience. Just because you're given a topic doesn't mean you can't think outside the box and tackle it from a different direction. I used to hate essays, but English 12 we'd have to do so many of them that it became second nature.Quote:
Originally Posted by Black Eagle
Remember that the only person putting your imagination in a box is you. Motivate yourself.
^^ I like how you put that.
Besides if the topic is broad enough, then there should be tons of freedom to be creative.
Yes, but the topics they gave were very narrow and they also required a certain format :/ . At my new school, they give us writing prompts every few days. The topics are broad and I can let my mind roam. I do agree with you, it's just hard to overcome that feeling sometimes. Mostly because I don't think whoever is grading my writing will approve of my apparent deviation.Quote:
Originally Posted by CoLd BlooDed
Then don't make it so apparent.
By certain format, are you talking about the 5 paragraph one or something else?
Western influence on "isolated" societies.
What happens when the western mindset encounter a isolated society that is self providing, and in perfect harmony with nature.
When tourism results in economic growth and "development".
Is the development really a development?
A good example is the Ladakh culture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladakh
You might want to try proposing a hypothetical situation, and then asking about whether or not the students believe it will be good/productive and why.
Sentient alien life visiting Earth with the intent to integrate their society with ours. Good or bad idea, why?
Artificial intelligence reaches the point that allows the characteristic of self awareness to develop in programs. Is that potentially beneficial, or will it yield dire consequences for humankind?
And so on, and so forth.
Topic paragraph, body paragraphs, conclusion paragraphs, topic sentences, supporting sentences. They make it very clear how they think it should be written. By writing something creative I might come up with work that is similar to this format, but it removes a sense of fluidity from my mind. Like how they taught us the verbs, nouns, pronouns etc. and how they should be used in a sentence. I have absolutely no use for that knowledge because I've been taught well enough and read many books to the point where it all comes naturally to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by CoLd BlooDed
On the more important tests (our state's TAKS test), I always make low scores on the essay sections. This year the topic for the essay was, "Write about a time you depended on someone". Instead I chose to write about how all of humanity and nature are interdependent on one another to survive and how and how stating any one connection was a pretentious thing to do.
Future of the printed word (books, periodicals).
Information explosion: is new media helping or hurting society?
Does modernization threaten local culture?
Future of the nation-state: will national governments remain relevant 50 years from now? 100? (alternatives would be regional alliances and one world government, or possibly anarchy).
Race: do you perceive race in the same way as someone in USA or India? What do you think are the differences?
Yeah, that's the five paragraph format. Essentially, a routine essay...Quote:
Originally Posted by Black Eagle
make them write about the japanese domination of korea back in the day. you will probably get some involved responses
What about something like... write about something that other people just don't understand about you. For example, a certain opinion you have that very few people agree with, or a certain hobby you have that other people don't see what's so interesting about, etc etc.... ? Is that too difficult/vague?
I just want to do something that's unique. Maybe talk about something dream-related, too...
Not at all. People love to talk about themselves, so if that's the route you wish to go you're going to have a relatively happy classroom.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mes Tarrant
Possibly the dog thrown over cliff. If animals have free will, or humans can't control instincts :)Quote:
Originally Posted by CoLd BlooDed