Students' Needs

In order to become a good technology teacher I've to study and identify in advance some of the problems that I'll probably encounter in my future job.

The first problem I found is how to adapt the syllabus of the Technology subject. 

The ECI/2220/2007 establishes the goals and the contents that are required for a student in order to pass. Due to the fact that we have to teach the subject trough a non mother tongue language but reaching the same minimums, we have to rebuilt completely the way we were teaching.

These are some of the goals for an E.S.O. student:

• Autonomy, creativity and capacity to both work individually or in group.
• Technic skills and enough knowledge for the analysis, design and manipulation of objects and tools.
• Analyze objects in order to understand how do they work, knowing their parts and functions.
• Express and communicate ideas and technic answers.
• Fluently use of applications and database software.
• Get used to new technologies including them in his/her daily life.
• Behave with respect, tolerance, cooperativism and solidarity.

Therefore, not only we have to lower the difficulty of the contents but we have to use a proper language registre. In this case two: 

• Academic English: specific lexis, syntax and genre conventions (oral and written) that teachers and students use in the context of learning.

• English for Specific Purposes: language used in a specific field.

To solve this first language barrier, my suggestion is to elaborate a "language notebook". 

Throughout the course pupils will be filling it with vocabulary, grammatical structures and useful phrases in general. 

In addition, to ensure the understanding in our linguistic exchanges we could start with:

• Asking for clarification
• What does X mean?
• Sorry, What did you say?
• How can I say X in Spanish?

• Non comprehension
• I'm sorry, I didn't understand.
• Could you repeat it, please?
• Excuse me, I didn't get that.

Depending on the unit, we should include specific vocabulary. For example, If we are going to star a new project in the workshop, the explanation of the process will be easier if everyone can identify every tool in advance. Trough some activities we will include "Workshop tools vocabulary".

And that's all for today, see you all in my next entry and I encourage everybody to comment and discuss anything you want.