Language is culture
Can any native Chinese-speaking teacher teach Chinese to American students effectively?
Do most native Chinese teachers utilize the best methodology in Chinese language teaching when teaching Chinese to American students?
Can any students learn a second language from any teacher of that language?
It is wrong to assume that English-speaking teachers naturally know how to teach English simply because they are native English speakers. It is also wrong to assume that certified Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) teachers are the best English teachers.
Language learning is universal; what separates one language from another is the culture where it is used. Culture cannot be separated from language. The effectiveness of a language program depends on the delivery of that language matching the language and culture of the students. The stronger the foundation the students have in their native language, the faster they will learn the second language with support provided in their native language.
It matters very little what color the language teachers come in or what languages roll off their tongues, what is of utmost importance is that learners of English have teachers who have an understanding and an appreciation of their students' native language and culture.
Kim Woo-Zeller
Rosemead, California
No longer a secret
Why did the location of a secret listening facility have to be mentioned ("Secret station helps US to eavesdrop on China," Jan. 18, page 4)? Now that this "secret station" is no longer a secret, its effectiveness has undoubtedly diminished. Too many details about too many sensitive matters which should be kept secret are revealed by the news media on a daily basis.
Cheryl Rutledge
Changhua
DPP hasn't learned
I would like to first extend my congratulations to the DPP on its great success of recruiting more elites to join the party ("DPP membership drive attracts more members of elite," Jan. 17, page 3).
Before becoming the ruling party, the DPP was composed mostly of political dissidents, blue-collar workers and the oppressed. After the recruitment, the DPP's representation is more diverse and its image is sure to be greatly improved. However, it was reported that the newly recruited members include some high-ranking police officers.
It seems to me that the DPP hasn't learned a lesson from the KMT's defeat. When the KMT was a ruling party , it used to manipulate the police forces to achieve its ultimate goal of winning elections. The unfair practice had generated mistrust among the public, which was one of the crucial factors leading to the first transfer of power in the nation's history. In addition, society was seriously harmed because of lack of the professionalism and impartiality of the police.
Being a ruling party, the DPP shouldn't make the same mistake as the KMT did before. Instead, the DPP should urge the government to formulate a policy which requires some sensitive professions -- such as police officers and judicial officials -- to remain neutral while carrying out their duties. Furthermore, their appointments and promotions should be based on their merits instead of their party affiliations.
Kelvin Liu
Taipei
N Korea an Asian problem
The odd thing about the current North Korea-US standoff is that the Americans are involved at all. It's as if one house were on fire, and all the houses on that street, alarmed and upset, turn to another house clear across town for a solution.
The US is the only nation in the current crisis that is completely out of reach of any of North Korea's missiles.
One would think that Asian nations would actively seek an Asian solution to an Asian problem. One would expect them to present a united front to demand accountability from a failed state threatening to unleash a "sea of fire" in the region.
Instead, the response by South Korea, Japan, China and Russia has been singularly uninspiring. Why do Asian nations expect the US to solve an Asian problem?
Stephen Carter
Bangkok
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