|
IELTS: Reading without Speaking? Numerous IELTS programs that are offered through out Asia and most often in China are divided into four major areas which mirror the actual IELTS examination: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. In most cases these classes use different teachers and certainly different text books for each module. The majority of programs use brute memorization to prepare for the exam. The classes are structured to utilize the students past educational processes i.e. memorize or fail, to teach the students. The words are more important than the method. As in the traditional Chinese educational system the students capacity for memorization is challenged. The result rather than the method are stressed. The exam becomes the reward, not the knowledge that should be gained from the class. So here rises the problem. Can the reading module portion of the IELTS exam be taught independently from the speaking part? There are pros and cons to this question. Do we as westerners teach reading to our children with speaking to them? The answer is obvious NO!! So why should we as educators teach the youth of China or for that matter the world, how to pass a reading exam without saying a single spoken word. Sounds rather stupid doesnt it. But in fact many western educators are expected to teach their class to pass a test in reading sans oral interaction. The spoken word is over looked in favor of the written word. Read and recite. Read and repeat. Read and regurgitate.But NEVER read and tell me what you think about what you read. Never read and lets discuss. Never read and give me your opinion. WHY? Is the examination overshadowing the learning process? Simply YES. | 
