600 English – Mexico

Getting to participate in an observation of a class in Cancun, Mexico was an amazing learning experience. It was so neat to see and hear what students are learning in another country. This was my first time using Microsoft Teams as well. I like this platform but it takes some adjusting to get used to!

The teacher welcomes students but is having technical difficulties. This seems to be a new reality of online learning. It is interesting to note that the students refer to the teacher as, “Teacher”. Here in Canada, we typically call our university professors by their first or last name.

Students in this class are incredibly smart and thoughtful.Their English is almost completely fluent. The assignment I got to see in action was one where students researched potential universities they may want to attend. I learned about some universities I had not heard of before and saw that students set high standards for themselves. For example, a student researched a university in Mexico that only allows a small number of students with very high grades. The student saw herself going there. She must be a a high achiever . I also wonder how much power or influence her family has  in her education. 

The next portion of the class has the teacher presenting and discussing Superhero’s and Villains with the students. This really peaks their interest. Most students make a comment about an aspect of a Superhero, Heroine or Villain. This is a great topic because it is relatable and interesting. Students in Mexico have certainly seen these types of movies or at least images. Students are engaged in the material and then can make responses in a free flowing discussion.

In the last few minutes of the class the discussion moves forward and goes onto speak about “real life Hero’s”. This discussion was amazing. The topic of Policeman came up, amongst other real life Hero’s such as doctors, fireman etc. When Policeman was referenced the discussion got heated and personal. Being here in Canada, our Policeman are put on a pedestal and well respected. Most communities in Canada do not fear the Police. However, in Mexico this is not the case.

The students seemed to be in agreement that Policeman in Mexico were not real Superhero’s. They were not in favour of placing that occupation into that status. Life in Mexico with corrupt police systems and living in fear of Cartels and gang violence gives the notion of a policeman as something different then here in Canada. To see and hear the discussion about this play out in real time, with real Mexican students that are affected by it was eye opening. It makes me remember that I have a fairly privileged life here in this country.

At the end of this discussion the teacher made a great point that in most other countries, Policeman are in fact Superhero’s, that in Mexico the reality might be bit different. The idea that there is good and evil in everyone is the last point to tie everything together.

General Notes:
  • powerpoint slow to start because of technology, but the discussion started without it
  • Spiderman and other Superhero’s, Superman, Hulk, WonderWomen, DeadPool…

 

  • making connections, higher order thinking
  • no right or wrong answers, open-ended questions
  • students respond with all kinds of answers

 

  • students discuss how these people have done something for society
  • students think about policeman in regard to Mexico or the USA.

 

  • Police reality is different than here in Canada
  • Good and evil in everyone.