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Language teachers learn methods of peace educationBy: KC Date Posted: 2001-05-25  Professor Cates has been involved in research on how language education could be combined with the education on peace and global society, and what is the role of the language education in this context. In the class, Cates presented a method using a kind of game of brain storming, which is a popular way of learning in the US, but still not in Japan. His method could be useful also in learning how human relationships should be built, connected strongly with peace education. The students present in the class enjoyed the games, such as complimenting something true about the partner. Students in Japan are not used to saying something nice to others, and many are too shy to say compliments. But they clearly enjoyed this unfamiliar custom that also leads to a peaceful mind. The students also considered which quotes they do like from an interesting list of quotes about peace or war, such as “I have never been stopped on the street by people collecting funds for nuclear weapons, because this has been well taken care of by governments. But I have seen many collections for children.” Then the students told each other what they liked and why. As they did brainstorming for peace, they picked words, such as “happy,” “the U.N.,” and “smile.” Professor Cates then exchanged the list of words with a Russian teachers’ class. Words included “family,” “no war,” “happy childhood,” “friendship,” and so on. What the participants found was words people pick up when they are thinking about peace are very similar. The students of the day at Cates’ class, who usually are English teachers, became excited and more interested in considering how they should combine peace education and English language classes while they are enjoying themselves. Discuss this story: Click here to discuss this story on our forums. communityentertainment
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