My Last Book...

I want to understand all aspect of teaching in the UK. Even more, than I ever wanted to understand teaching in my country. I never read this kind of books in the University. Well I didn't have access to English literature (I wasn't able to read with understanding until I came to UK) and at this time didn't exist any modern book about this topic, only the old socialistic literature from 70's. Honestly I didn't feel prepared well, when I started to teach. I learned a lot on the go. That is, why I am reading this kind of books now in a hope to become better prepared when I return to full time teaching. Eventually.

Well let's mention the book finally - Learning to Teach History in the Secondary School: A Companion to School Experience. Contributors: Terry Haydn - author, James Arthur - author, Martin Hunt - author. Publisher: RoutledgeFalmer. Place of Publication: London. Publication Year: 2001

Yes, call me a geek (I am one) but, this book would be sooo good help for all students teachers in my country... It covers all necessary ideas from reason why history in Curriculum till different concepts and skills, which should be taken in consideration when teaching this subject. It would be good even for students of history.

Well there are differences between teaching History in My country and here in the UK. Here are taught skills and knowledge is more like a tool to allow this. We teach knowledge - sometimes even like a phone book. We teach in chronological order and try to cover all major events in the world - western world and national history but without in depth studies. History is compulsory till the end of secondary education. There is no coursework or any other kind of examination similar to GCSE.

What are the students equipped with?

UK - They can evaluate sources, analyse and write longer essay in given topic (Ideally) and should be able to work independently. They have some in depth knowledge on topics like II World War, Medicine, Wild West, South African Apartheid. And they are very confident about their knowledge...

SK - at the end of secondary education they have overview of most events from the past, chronology and depending on teacher maybe some skills... But this is not part of curriculum.

I have to admit, that I like UK model more, but I think, there should be more emphasise on historical continuity - at least in national history. And I am missing a part where students had to show their knowledge orally... In SK this is a part of curriculum. Subjects like History, Geography, Citizenship have to develop oral skills and therefor most assignments are oral...