VOA慢速英语--教师们考虑不同的教学方式来教授语言和交际课

Teachers Consider Different Ways to Teach Language, Communication Classes

How can teachers best lead language classes, special education classes, or communication classes while protecting themselves and their students? This fall, American teachers are considering that very question.

With some students coming back to school for classes, teachers have begun experimenting with unusual objects, special kinds of masks or face coverings, and even protective bubbles.

Stephanie Wanzer is a teacher who works with special education students in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Special education is a term for classes with students who have special needs because of physical or learning issues.

While teaching, Wanzer says she would like students to see her smile, so that they know she is happy. But they cannot see her face because of her mask. Instead, Wanzer uses an unusual object - a stick with an image of a smile. Wanzer recently described working with one student to the Associated Press.

"I try to be really expressive¹ with my eyes," she said. "He's looking at me and I'm not sure if he thinks I'm mad or happy because you can't see my mouth smiling," she said. "So I actually have a smile on a stick, which is bizarre², but it's a smile like, ‘Look, I'm smiling.'"

Jon Resendez is a teacher in Irvine, California. He teaches civics, the study of the rights and duties of citizens and of how government works.

His classes started online this year. But now that some students are returning to school, he worries about how masks will affect his classes.

"Part of what I do as a civics teacher is to teach people to engage in civic³ conversations," he said. A conversation is a discussion between two or more people.

Resendez said he likes to hear a small amount of sound in the class "because if the students are talking, they are thinking."

Jon Resendez added that an important part of communicating is seeing other people's facial expressions and body language.

Teaching is especially difficult for those who work with students with hearing difficulties or students who do not speak English as their first language.

Some sounds can become more difficult to hear when spoken through a mask.

Deborah Short is president of the TESOL International Association. The Virginia-based group connects teachers who teach English to speakers of other languages.

She said, "For one, the mask might muffle⁴ some sounds, making it harder for English learners to distinguish⁵ them, such as the sound for ‘P' and the sound for ‘B.'"

Short said teachers can reduce these problems by speaking loudly and clearly. They also can use videos and images to "show how sounds may be created," she explained.

Some schools have ordered clear plastic coverings so that students can see teachers' mouths.

Wanzer said one teacher wore such a mask while working with a student who has hearing difficulties. The student said the mask was unnecessary. The teacher was happy not to use it, she said, because the plastic material was so uncomfortable.

Still, teachers and schools are behind the increased demand for clear masks from companies like Baltimore-based ClearMask.

Allysa Dittmar is ClearMask's co-founder and president. The company began making clear masks after Dittmar, who is deaf, was unable to communicate well with a traditional mask while undergoing surgery.

"We see a large need for early childhood education to support young children's social, emotional, and language development, as well as specific programs for students," Dittmar said.

At the C.B. Jennings International Elementary Magnet School in New London, Connecticut, teachers get carts with protective windows. Carts are small wheeled tables that are pushed. Teachers can stand behind these carts as they move around the classroom.

But even while standing⁶ behind the carts, many teachers still keep their masks on, noted⁷ Elizabeth Sked. She added that expressive eyes help teachers connect with students.

Belinda Williams is a teacher at Webb Elementary School in Franklin, Indiana. She said she and her young students have become used to wearing masks, social distancing, and regular hand cleaning.

Williams put superhero images in her classroom. She tells students they have "special powers" when they are wearing face coverings.

"Do I wish we didn't have to wear a mask? Absolutely," she said. "But if it means teaching our children in person, then I will do what it takes."

Words in This Story

bubble – n. a tiny, round ball of air or gas inside a liquid; an object resembling a round ball of air or gas inside a liquid

engage in -- phrasal verb to do (something)

bizarre – adj. very unusual or strange

muffle – v. to decrease the noise made by (something)

distinguish – v. to notice or recognize a difference between people or things

specific – adj. special or particular

superhero – n. a fictional character who has amazing powers (such as the ability to fly)

1 expressive   

adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的

参考例句：

• Black English can be more expressive than standard English.黑人所使用的英语可能比正式英语更有表现力。
• He had a mobile,expressive,animated face.他有一张多变的，富于表情的，生动活泼的脸。

2 bizarre   

adj.奇形怪状的，怪诞的

参考例句：

• They saw a bizarre animal in the lake.他们在湖中看见一个奇怪的动物。
• The building was of bizarre construction.这建筑构造奇异。

3 civic   

adj.城市的，都市的，市民的，公民的

参考例句：

• I feel it is my civic duty to vote.我认为投票选举是我作为公民的义务。
• The civic leaders helped to forward the project.市政府领导者协助促进工程的进展。

4 muffle   

v.围裹；抑制；发低沉的声音

参考例句：

• Mother made an effort to muffle her emotions.母亲努力控制自己的感情。
• I put my hand over my mouth to muffle my words,so only my friend could hear. 我把手挡在嘴上，遮住声音，仅让我的朋友听到。

5 distinguish   

vt.区别，辩明，识别，辨认出；vi.区别，辨别，识别

参考例句：

• It is not easy to distinguish cultured pearls from genuine pearls.辨别真正的珍珠与养殖的珍珠不容易。
• Some people find it difficult to distinguish right from wrong.一些人认为很难辨对与错。

6 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

7 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。