Lindemann Ch. 8, blog #7

I really liked what Lindemann said about the 5-paragragh essay being irrelevant because "real" writers don't write that way. I encounter students from countries, especially Asian and Arabic, who come to the U.S. to go to graduate school and I feel an obligation to teach 5-paragraph essays! These students are going to take the IELTS or the TOEFL before even getting accepted to a school, and in order to pass, one must know how to write a 5 paragraph essay! Now, those going into grad school must also pass the Gre. And the students going to a JC or university must pass a placement test after the TOEFL or IELTS!! I feel trapped. There's no way around teaching the 5-paragraph essay. When I have students whose work, or company, sent them here to learn English, they need a whole other type of writing! I don't mind this al all because my classes consist of 6 - 9 students and they all have goals and want to learn. Small classes afford me the opportunity to work closely with students and really get to know their goals, strengths, weaknesses and personalities to better assist them with their goals.