Back to work again tomorrow, and I really am looking forward to it. The best part is that there is a whole week to prepare before the students arrive for the second semester.
Very grateful to have had a day of R&R- didn’t touch the books, but just refreshed my mind before going back to the salt mines. Finally watched the Live Earth DVD that has been sitting on the shelf for so long. That really is a reminder that when people work together, big things can happen. It also pertains to teaching, especially for those of us who work abroad. In many cases we are hired to bring English, but along with it we bring so much negative baggage of the First World Empire. Do we not then have an obligation to bring some good with it too? In both the countries where I have lived as a teacher, and most of those I have visited, there is very little awareness of environmental (and other) issues. Most definitely there are areas where “we” have a great deal to learn form “them”, and the local way of thinking should be respected. By no means am I advocating some kind of cultural imperialist evangelism where West knows best. But when it comes to the planet that we- the true “We” of humanity- all share, we are speaking of an emergency. Educating people about this is far more important than perfect grammar.
My small beginning has been to reduce unnecessary paper wastage by providing paper for re-use near office printers and photocopiers and information on how to make double-sided copies in the office. The next step is to arrange screenings of An Inconvenient Truth with the college’s Environment Club. Inviting other staff, including the administrative and janitorial staff… Really getting the students involved and passionate… Finding some simple action steps that can be implemented on campus, and allowing students to ignite each other’s commitment. This is too important to overlook.
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