A Lot About Nothing

Tonight a group of us from the Bachelor of Education program here at Queen’s met up for dinner at The Grizzly Grill.  I was famished since I hadn’t ate anything since noon, and it was almost 8pm.  Looking at the diverse menu I was stuck as what I would get as an appetizer (I decided on an Alberta Prime Rib for my main course, since I just got on the medium-rare train).  Initially I was going to order the crab & spinach dip.  But once our waitress came around I thought to myself, why not try something different?  So at the last minute I ordered the Louisiana Alligator (spicy, grilled skewer with Cajun aïoli and tomato corn salsa).

I have to say… alligator isn’t that bad.  It looked like chicken, but tasted more like a miraculous combination of pork and chicken.  Looks tender to the eyes (was probably due to whatever animal the alligator ate :P), but has a chewy texture… a bit like beef .  An interesting experience and I’m glad I took a chance and tried something different, because it was rather tasty.  But it’s not like I’ll be ordering this every time I go out… I’ll rather stick with my ‘normal’ meats of chicken, pork, beef and fish.

The dinner was a positive mark to the official day one of classes.  Got to meet some new people, which is always a plus.  I’m going to have to get used to the actual class structure though, since last week was so busy.  “Welcome Week” comprised of orientation classes, workshops and presentations.  Then after the ’school day’ we would attend nightly activites including a BBQ, wine & cheese night,  boat cruise of the Thousand Islands, and visiting a local pub.  I’m glad the early mornings and late nights are over though, so now I can start getting into a proper routine.

Today’s classes were interesting:  a couple of lectures (that I tried to stay awake for, even though I started classes at 11am), and my technological studies curriculum class.  The tech class was so much fun!  We had to design a couple of small frames/structures from wooden sticks, so we got to work with saws, glue, scissors, rulers, clamps, and sand paper… felt like I was in grade nine shop class again (well, actually that’s what the project was for: a typical grade nine project that we would eventually teach in the future)!  Ah… there’s nothing like peeling dried, white glue off your hands.

Kingston, so far is pretty nice.  The buses on the other hand could run more frequently, but I think I’m getting used to it.  Four more weeks and I’m back in Toronto for my practicum.

In the news recently is the Toronto District School Board exploring the idea of creating an “African-centred alternative school” from junior kindergarten to Grade 8. Toronto school board figures show that by age 16, more than half of black male teens are at risk of dropping out because they haven’t earned the 16 credits required by the end of Grade 10. It’s hard to see this coming to light again so quickly after the province of Ontario strongly opposed faith-based schools. Is race-based schooling any better?

You have to ask yourself why is the average Black youth failing? Are the parents to blame? Is it the portrayal of themselves in mainstream society? Is it purely the school system’s fault?

Maybe it’s just me, but the idea of having a black-focused school just makes me think that the majority of people out there in society assume the intelligence level of Blacks is sup-par. The idea that we need a separate school to keep up to mainstream society is something that I don’t want people to believe, because it isn’t true. I for one can attest that fact. I went to a Catholic school, with prominently white teachers, interacted with many students of different races and cultures, and excelled very well. Not to mention the fact that the community I lived in for most of my youth was one deemed as “disadvantaged.”

The black population in Canada is very diverse, and to have a “black-focused” school doesn’t seem very logical. Segregating black children, by having a separate schools takes them away from mainstream society. How well are these children going to get along later in life with members of other races in terms of socializing if they are isolated from exposure from other groups at school? Especially if it’s in their early childhood years.

Perhaps we’re going about finding a solution to this problem the wrong way. Maybe what schools need is more teachers of visible minorities, more inclusion of topics such as Black history and multi-ethnic equity into the main curriculum so that all races can absorb, more funded after-school programs to help disadvantaged youth. More programs initialized at current schools to help black youth will keep them in the loop and not make them feel like they need to be taken out of it, in order to succeed.

I was reading a local message board on this same topic and one of the members had a very interesting solution to this problem: forgetting about Black-focused schooling and promoting a school system which focused on lower-class individuals. Free breakfast programs, tutoring, addiction counseling services, after school programs to keep kids busy, apprenticeships and internships. I think this is a very good idea. Sure it’s another form of segregating a social group, but at least there’ll be more variety of people in this frame-set for children to relate to… a more realistic depiction of our world.

I honestly don’t think that race is the whole issue here. I think people are forgetting to get down to the basics of the situation. The problem most of these kids are having is in relation to their social and economical class and not necessarily b/c of the colour of their skin.

If a Black-focussed school was to open next year, what would be the criteria for acceptance? Would a child with a white mother and black father be allowed to join the student body? What if a white student wishes to attend? If the school is going to be publicly funded, then it must be open to everyone. Is this the beginning of other races starting to protest their own need for their own schools, further segregating our multicultural society? What about the many Muslim, European and South American students who are failing the school system? Shouldn’t non-Black races have the opportunity to benefit with the history of Black people?

Is this debate adding to the stereotype that Black people aren’t intelligent and need a special school in order to keep up with the current population? What if a very smart Black student were to attend a school like this instead of opting to attend one in the mainstream school system? Would their achievements be hindered because they are ‘ahead’ of the pack? Would a black-focused summer school or Saturday class be a more logical solution? Is this a step backward for our community from the days of civil rights?

When it comes down to it, if all kids want to be successful in school they have to be interested and engaged. Perhaps the current teaching styles need to be changed in the school system so that they grab the attention of youth (both black and non-black). There are students of all races that end up dropping out of school… there needs to be a program that will help all of them and not segregate them based on a social construct such as race.

What are your thoughts on the issue? If you’re in the Toronto-area, the next public meeting discussing the topic will be held on Monday at Northview Heights Secondary School (550 Finch Ave. W).

Recent artcle from The Star

Recent article from CTV

I’ve been a tad skeptical about those language learning software and audio kits. So I surprised myself by purchasing Michel Thomas’ Speak French For Beginners program. I haven’t heard this much French since I took the Summer Language Bursary Program (now known as Explore) when I was in university. The 5-week language program (in Trois Pistoles, Quebec) I took was one of the best experiences I ever had. I made new friends, experienced different cultures and activities, and most importantly, I greatly improved on my French (I fairly recollected my one year of high school french). Of course as soon as I left Trois Pistoles and returned to Toronto, I forgot a good deal of what I learned because I was re-immersed into an 99% anglophone city.

I would love to learn French on a more conversational level. Speaking a second-lanuage definitely has it’s benefits. And when I do learn French to an extent, I won’t have to worry about strangers asking me, “Oh, you’re name is Monique. Do you speak French?”

I’ve heard positive things about Michel Thomas‘ teaching methods, so when I noticed that it was on sale at Chapters.Indigo.ca for 34% off the regular $99.99 price tag, I jumped on it (I also got an additinal 5% off with my iRewards card, and had a $5 coupon, so I wound up paying only $60 with free shipping). It probably would’ve been cheaper if I purchased it from amazon.com, but I wasn’t sure about all those extra customs charges at the border.

Yesterday I started with disc one, and this morning I listened to the second one on my way to work. Honestly, the reviews aren’t kidding: his way of teaching actually makes me retain what I’m learning. I don’t have to worry about writing anything down, reviewing homework, or memorization. And the program is done as Michel teaches two students, so you actually feel like you’re learning as part of the class.  Using your pause button on your mp3/CD player, you’ll try to translate the English phrase Michel asks into French phrases before the students.  Part of the process is also learning from the mistakes the students may make before Michel corrects them.

Almost 20% into the entire package, I have a basic understanding of words, phrases and vocab that could get me to feel a little more comfortable with speaking simple French–a lot more than I remember from when I was taking French in high school.   The programs breaks down the language, so you’re able to piece together each ‘building block’ into a proper sentence.  I’m actually beginning to understand more of the French language and how it works.

No books. No writing. No drills. And nothing to memorize– ever! With his patented method, Michel Thomas has taught languages to top celebrities and–through his bestselling audio programs–more than a million everyday learners around the world. At the end of this ten-CD beginner’s program, you will have acquired:

* A full working vocabulary
* Essential comprehension skills
* Complete language confidence

Don’t try to memorize specific words or expressions. It is a basic principle of the Michel Thomas™ method that the responsibility for the student’s learning lies with the teacher. With Michel Thomas as your teacher, your learning will be based on understanding–and what you understand, you do not forget!

Included in the package:

* 10 audio CDs–including the two-CD Speak French Get Started Kit and 2 review CDs
* Program booklet
* Zippered travel case

I can’t wait until I reach the end of the 10-disc course to see how much I really have learned! Now writing en Français is another story. It’s a good thing I also picked up Barron’s French Verb book! I’ll be sure to keep you guys informed on my progress.