ESL classmate

[allthatjazz]

I'm SOO frustrated!

I'm in uni. & my group project partner has weak language skills!

This leaves me really frustrated and I have to do the bulk of the work,

the project entails contacting organizations and interviewing people

and then giving a one hour presentation as well as writing up the

case report.

 

I've worked as an ESL instructor before, and I am a patient person,

but what really bothers me is the lack of effort and "ambition" on my

classmate's part. I've studied abroad in a country where I barely spoke

the language-I put in soo much time and effort in trying to learn the

language, and talking... it's crucial! I found out that my classmate has

been living in Canada for over 10 years (she came when she was 14-15)

I have no probs with accents, but when she's not UNDERSTANDING when

I'm speaking pretty slowly and clearly that I just get super frustrated!

She never participates in class even. It's not fair! It's hard to learn another

language, but if you're moving to a different country and you intend on

living, studying and working there, understanding and learning the language

is crucial. I understand it's intimidating but you have to jump in there

and practise and learn.

 

What should I do? I don't mind doing the bulk of the work, but I don't

think that I should also be teaching a remedial english class. In fact,

I think that that is what the bulk of her classmates have been doing for

her. I WISH that my university had administered english language proficiency

tests to all students (both verbal and oral).

 

The truly ironic part of this is that there are tonnes of students coming from abroad coming to my city to learn english, yet immigrants here are not bothering to learn english even when there are tonnes of venues for them to do so.... GRRR! I don't think learning the language of teh country you're living in is optional, it's crucial.

[Papillon]

Have you told any of this to your group partner? If she doesn't know that this is bothering you then nothing is going to change. You guys have to break the project into its component bits and properly delegate to each other who does what. Put it all on paper, and include the breakdown sheet when you hand in the report. If you're lucky, that way you will get properly graded on YOUR work, and not her bad work.

 

Failing, that, I would suggest that you go speak to your lecturer, or even the Head of department, and arrange for a different partner, or to do the project on your own. I've NEVER liked group projects, because one person is ALWAYS a ride-alonger, unless the project responsibilities are well defined and delegated.