Contextualization
“[...] Boyle has dealt with two aspects of the American Dream: the views foreigners have of America as 'the land of plenty' and the idea of the self-made man who rises from poverty to affluence.” (Bruck: 50)
Description of one lessons
Lesson one (week one): The students have read the novel over the summer. The teacher has mentioned this task at the beginning of the semester again to make sure that there would be enough time to prepare to novel, just in case. At the beginning of the first lesson of this block the class sits together in a round collecting everybody's first impressions on the novel The Tortilla Curtain. The teacher is a quiet observer and serves from time to time as a host. In order to keep the students talking there will be no disruption from the teacher. At the end of the lesson teacher and students part without any homework.
Table of Contents
- Course Sequence
- Lesson One (Week One)
- Lesson Two (Week One)
- Lesson Three (Week One)
- Lesson Four (Week Two)
- Lesson Five (Week Two)
- Lesson Six (Week Two)
- Lesson Seven (Week Three)
- Lesson Eight (Week Three)
- Lesson Nine (Week Three)
- Lesson Ten (Week Four)
- Lesson Eleven (Week Four)
- General Teaching Aims
- Description of All Lessons
Objectives and Key Themes
The main objective of this course is to guide advanced EFL students through a close reading of T.C. Boyle's "The Tortilla Curtain," focusing on improving their reading, writing, speaking, and presentation skills while exploring key themes within the novel. The course emphasizes learner autonomy and constructive peer assessment.
- The American Dream and its various interpretations
- Cross-cultural understanding and communication
- Social class and inequality in the United States
- Immigration and its impact on individuals and society
- Character analysis and comparison
Chapter Summaries
Course Sequence: This section outlines the detailed plan for a course centered around T.C. Boyle's "The Tortilla Curtain." It meticulously details eleven lessons, each with specific activities, worksheets, and assignments. The sequence progresses from initial impressions and gathering information to in-depth discussions, essay writing, and character analysis. The structure facilitates active learning through group work, presentations, and in-class writing exercises. The overarching goal is to cultivate critical thinking skills, improve language proficiency, and achieve a thorough understanding of the novel's complex themes.
General Teaching Aims: This section specifies the pedagogical aims of the course. Beyond linguistic improvement (reading, writing, speaking), the curriculum emphasizes learner autonomy, constructive peer assessment, and the development of analytical skills. Students are expected to actively engage with the text, analyze its structure and themes, and express their interpretations through various tasks. The aim is not just to understand the plot, but also to explore the novel's critical commentary on the American Dream, social inequality, and immigration.
Description of All Lessons: This section provides a detailed overview of each of the eleven lessons. Each lesson description outlines specific learning activities, including group work, discussions, essay writing, and presentations. The lessons are structured to progressively build upon each other, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the text and its themes. Each lesson incorporates diverse teaching strategies and forms of assessment, encouraging student engagement and skill development. The careful sequencing ensures that students engage fully with the novel's complexities, from initial impressions to in-depth analysis.
Keywords
The Tortilla Curtain, T.C. Boyle, American Dream, immigration, social inequality, cross-cultural communication, character analysis, essay writing, EFL, learner autonomy, peer assessment.
T.C. Boyle's "The Tortilla Curtain" Course Preview: Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in this course preview?
This comprehensive preview provides a detailed overview of a course designed around T.C. Boyle's "The Tortilla Curtain." It includes the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The preview offers a clear understanding of the course structure, learning activities, and assessment methods.
What are the course objectives and key themes?
The main objective is to guide advanced EFL students through a close reading of "The Tortilla Curtain," enhancing their reading, writing, speaking, and presentation skills. Key themes explored include the American Dream, cross-cultural understanding, social inequality, immigration, and character analysis. The course emphasizes learner autonomy and peer assessment.
How is the course structured?
The course is structured across eleven lessons, progressing from initial engagement with the novel to in-depth analysis. Each lesson incorporates various activities, including group work, discussions, essay writing, and presentations. The structure facilitates active learning and the development of critical thinking skills.
What are the general teaching aims?
Beyond improving linguistic skills, the course aims to cultivate learner autonomy, constructive peer assessment, and analytical skills. Students will actively engage with the text, analyze its themes, and express their interpretations through various tasks. The goal is to achieve a thorough understanding of the novel's complex themes and its critical commentary on social issues.
What kind of activities are included in the lessons?
The lessons include a variety of activities such as group work, discussions, essay writing, and presentations. These activities are designed to progressively build upon each other, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the text and its themes. Diverse teaching strategies and assessment methods are incorporated to encourage student engagement and skill development.
What are the key themes explored in the novel and the course?
The key themes explored in both the novel and the course include the American Dream and its interpretations, cross-cultural understanding and communication, social class and inequality in the United States, immigration and its impact, and character analysis and comparison.
What are the keywords associated with this course and novel?
Keywords include: The Tortilla Curtain, T.C. Boyle, American Dream, immigration, social inequality, cross-cultural communication, character analysis, essay writing, EFL, learner autonomy, peer assessment.
What is the target audience for this course?
This course is designed for advanced English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students.
What is the overall goal of the course?
The overarching goal is to cultivate critical thinking skills, improve language proficiency (reading, writing, speaking), and achieve a thorough understanding of "The Tortilla Curtain's" complex themes.
- Quote paper
- Theresa Roth (Author), 2009, Unterrichtsskizze zu "The Tortilla Curtain" von T. C. Boyle, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/181342
