The most difficult thing to teach in writing is.... THE IMPORTANCE OF WRITING! Few students understand that no matter what career they have, writing will play an important role. Even if it is simply emails or memos, students will have to write in their career!
I have only taught one class, which was technical writing. The first month is GSP, and the students fail to see the importance or think "I've learned this already." Luckily, we quickly get into resumes, cover letters, emails, memos, etc. Students at least see the value in resumes and cover letters because lets face it, everyone needs a resume! I tell them even if they are going to end up taking over the family business, they will be in senior seminar and will need a resume there.
I truly believe that 20 years ago, this class would be viewed as much more important. Or even longer ago, when if you really wanted to communicate you had to write. Today, businesses do business via Skype, Facebook, Twitter, etc. and those aren't exactly formal writing styles. The best way is to find out what that students wants to do and then find a way writing relates to that career path, help them to see the important connection.
Hi Corey Ann. My high school students also give me the "I've learned this already" but somehow, they also have "never learned" many things simultaneously! They've supposedly never learned parts of speech, the differences in there, their, and they're, how to identify a fragment, etc. I've seen their curriculum and they have indeed learned most of the common grammatical and spelling mistakes that I teach them.
ReplyDeleteIn many of their business classes in high school, they are required to write a resume. Most are clueless on how to start too! It seems like learning cover letters, memos, and resumes should be required to be taught before they leave high school. My sister told me that her patient's mother, a woman in her 30s, asked her what a resume was. My sister was dumbfounded. I was not surprised that there are high school graduates who are clueless as to what that is.
I think you're right, Corey - many students just don't understand how important their writing skills will be when they 'grow up'. :) "Why do I have to take a composition class? I'm a computer major!!!" is a phrase I hear all too often. I try to explain to them that one of the most important things that they can do to showcase their professionalism and knowledge is to become a better writer. They can be the best technicians in the world...the next Bill or Steve...but if they can't eloquently explain to me in an email, report, or presentation what it is they do, all that technical fabulousness will be overlooked!
ReplyDeletegood communication is so important, and it's absolutely crazy just how anyone manages to get through life without realizing the fact. but everyone is different, I guess, with different priorities and different strengths. what Mariel mentions about all the little things her students have "never learned" reminded me of a saying I've carried around in my head for a while-- to really learn something you have to forget it at least once. so even if all these students do completely lose the basic grammar and spelling they should've learned as kids, there is still hope! (right?)
ReplyDeleteMight also draw from specific quotations from the readings to support your ideas here in your blog. Doing so is usually very illuminating and helpful.
ReplyDeletePerhaps talking to students or others about how good writing, ultimately, is good thinking, and if one can learn skills to write well, then thinking well follows. And we think all day; if we don't think well, we're duped by those who are making arguments that we simply skim over. So, reading, writing, and thinking go hand-in-hand.
As an undergraduate I said the same thing about the required Math credits I took. Every time I encountered something difficult I would say to myself "I'm a history major! I will never use this stuff." Little did I know that I would land a job that required me to create budgets for sponsored programs. Oh the irony! That is why I think it is important for students to understand that many jobs require at least basic writing and math skills. Just because you work as a software designer, or accountant, does not mean that you will be safe from writing. You may be required to correspond with clients, draft policies, or maintain content on a website. Employers are looking for diverse skills in their employees because many jobs are becoming more diverse in their scope of duties.
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