Let Students Learn on Their Own

Today Chris (林詠梅老師) told me that around three years ago, when she was teaching third-year students, each class had 7 classes a week.  After March, she spared one class period for students to learn on their own.  They could read their own English boos/magazines, study their textbooks, or do some practice tests for the UEE.  When the students had questions, they just raised their hand, and she would go to them.

This is really a good idea.  In fact, recently I have considered letting students do some pleasure reading in class for around 10~15 minutes once or twice a week.  However, with so many things to cover: the textbook, grammar, translation, composition, and discussion of tests, I finally decided to give them the reading materials as homework, hoping that they would enjoy reading some good stuff at home.   They don't need to write a report or take a quiz.  All they have to do is participate in a brief discussion about what they've read in class.  I know not all the students will read them; howeve, those who read will definitely benefit.  "English cannot be taught; it can only be learned."  I still believe in what Mr. Huang (黃燦遂教授) told me.