[Icvv] ESOL/EFL adult group

[kimsenglish@tiscali.co.uk]

My group are of mixed nationality and aged between 18 and 35, studying English in the UK. They all have very diverse interests and cultures and this makes for a very interesting group to teach! Their level is advanced as far as a grammar test will provide but I often find in reality that certain skills are much weaker than others - particularly speaking for Asian students - and writing for Arabic students.
I would like the group to have online discussion with other students about topical issues which tend to be considered 'taboo' or 'risky' as this often generates heated discussion which forces the students to exercise their language skills to the utmost. I often use the book Taboos and Issues by MacAndrew and Martinez (LTP Publications) so any teachers brave enough to join in our discussions are most welcome. Our term starts on 12th September and we should be starting discussions within a few weeks of this date. Students preselect the issues they want to discuss so they have time before the lesson to think about and prepare their own thoughts to bring to the lesson.
I have put an example below of quality student work from last term to show the potential ability of the group and follow up exercises students are asked to carry out.
Look forward to hearing from you and having some heated online debates!

Kim

Dear editor,
I am writing to you to express my concerns about the programme on immigration you recently showed.
Both pro- and anti-immigration views were presented in a manipulative way and were to a large extent based on prejudices and stereotypes. The anti-immigration part was particularly offensive to immigrants and implied that only certain minorities cause social problems. Such programmes only foster nationalistic and racist opinions, already present in society. 
As far as the pro- immigration part is concerned, I have to confess, that several arguments mentioned in it made me laugh. It is ridiculous, to depict Poland as an inhospitable, poverty-stricken country inhibited by people who tend to become drug addicts and binge drinkers, and whose diet consist only of cabbage. The UK has also problems with drug addicts and binge drinkers. And if you ask foreigners what they hate about the UK, they will probably reply rain and wind or fish and chips. The dreary picture of Poland resembled more to the reality of the Soviet Union in the fifties than to Poland in 2005. British people, sadly including the creators of the programme, are not aware of the progress the post-communist countries have made over the last fifteen years.

The anti-immigration part was even more biased and infuriating. I suspect, that the author deliberately tried to create an atmosphere of fear and hatred. The vision of overcrowded Britain, leading to social problems, crime and a dramatic fall in the standard of living, clearly can have this effect. The authors do not tell us that at present the British population is growing older and the stream of immigrants can help to reverse, or at least slow down, this trend. As the vast majority of immigrants are in the productive age. Representing only 8% of UK population, immigrants create 10% of GDP. So they contribute to the national wealth, not sponge on the rest of British population. Even more importantly, immigrants are absolutely vital for British health care system. As there is not enough British people choosing career in medicine and related jobs. 
To conclude, BBC should be more careful about the content of their programmes. Especially when covering such a sensitive issue as immigration. It is the duty of BBC, to inform people. Theretofore both pros and cons should be shown. But it is necessary to make sure, that the facts are presented in a balanced and unbiased way.
I hope that my points will be taken into consideration. I am looking forward to your prompt reply.
 
Yours faithfully
 
Alzbeta T********

based on a BBC broadcast by the British National Party, following class discussion about immigration in Britain.
(The paragraphing has changed since insertion into this post).
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