My Pharm. Calc. teacher can barely speak proper english! help

HelanaDietrich · Sep 12, 2009

I began an A&P course which was taught by the head of the science dept. He had a very broken strong foreign accent. When we took the first major test, the class was astounded. Only one student passed. I went above him and insisted on changing into another class. In this class, the instructor was tough, yet a very good and thorough instuctor. I did well and Ace'd her class, and established a good rappot with her.

Later, when I attempted to take a microbiology course, the instructor was a new adjunct, teaching 4 science courses, which was like teaching 8 classes. She was foreign and had a strong accent; but I could understand her. She was also a newly wed and had a lot of stress I think. She was staying up all night grading papers and losing her train of thought during the middle of a sentence while lecturing. She was frozen, and said, "Guys, I'm so sorry, I'm so tired."

At the end of the class a buddy and I talked with her (she was such a nice person), and tried to advise her it better to sleep from 10pm to 4am, and work on her lesson plans and such for 2 hours in the morning...she was sleep deprived and burning her candles at both ends. She insisted she could not as she had to work all night on those papers. When we took our first major test, only one person passed this one too. The test was not at all what and how she had prepared us for. And I'd studied well and knew my contents. Given that, I had to follow my gut and drop the course altogether. It was not worth taking the risk of a failing grade, plus a semester of a waste of my valuable time and efforts.

You must do what you feel in your gut. All you have to tell your advisor is that you cannot follow the accent of the instructor. If you can't get transferred to another class, then you might consider dropping the course for now, if you are still within the drop period. You have to do what you know is right for you, not what may or may not please those employeed by the school. This is your life and your career.

Good luck.

caffeineRx · Sep 12, 2009

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dishes, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2009

I understand how difficult your situation is, I had an A & P instructor who spoke with a very thick accent. The majority of the class failed the first exam and we decided as a group to complain to her superior. We told him we were struggling to understand the instructors accent and even though she was very nice and repeated everything we asked her to repeat, we just could not understand her. Our group complaint was not well received he told us we were being racist, we did not resolve the situation, complaining just made it more uncomfortable for everyone. In the end, I dropped the class (even though my mark was affected) and repeated it with a teacher I could understand. :scrying:

regards

dishes

Scrubby · Sep 12, 2009

This is going to be a bit of a rant but anyway:

I have to say that it really annoys me when people leave their home country and get angry when others cannot understand what they are saying and become arrogant about it like this lecturer. I get this from many international doctors and nurses and I'm fed up with it. If you want to come here and work then good for you I have no problems whatsoever. But if they cannot be understood because of their accent then the onus is on THEM not the people of their host country to ensure that they are understood when they speak. Are people supposed to just smile and nod instead of asking them to repeat themselves for fear of being offensive? If a lot of people are asking someone to clarify all the time then surely this is a sign that they need to improve their speaking skills.

To the OP:

You are paying for an education and this lecturer is preventing you from learning. I would be asking her to clarify every point that I couldn't understand because why should you fail because this person cannot speak well enough to be understood? Definately ask to switch classes and if her buddy pal asks why then express your concerns that you feel that her accent is preventing you from learning. If they get all offended and say she's a wonderful teacher tell them that she may be the best teacher in the world, this does not change the fact that you cannot understand her as she has a strong accent. If you are called racist remind them that there are defamation laws.

JomoNurse · Sep 13, 2009

Most science and math classes in college are taught by foreign teachers (most, not all). How did you cope with your other instructors? Personally, I prefer foreign born teachers to american professors because they'll teach you exactly what you need to know for the exams. They get straight to the point and don't fluff things. American born professors tend to fluff things. I also find they don't really know their subjects as well. Maybe your foreign teacher will end up being a blessing in disguise?? ;-)

caffeineRx · Sep 13, 2009

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caffeineRx · Sep 13, 2009

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caffeineRx · Sep 13, 2009

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wooh, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2009

I find that once I'm around an accent for a while, I start to understand it easier.

kcochrane · Sep 13, 2009

Most science and math classes in college are taught by foreign teachers (most, not all). How did you cope with your other instructors? Personally, I prefer foreign born teachers to american professors because they'll teach you exactly what you need to know for the exams. They get straight to the point and don't fluff things. American born professors tend to fluff things. I also find they don't really know their subjects as well. Maybe your foreign teacher will end up being a blessing in disguise?? ;-)

I agree with you, BUT it really doesn't matter how well they can teach if they can't be understood. And some people find understanding accents easier than others.

allnurses Guide · Sep 13, 2009

Sounds like you're trying to be fair, but the stakes are high. You can't make less than 80%, and you can't fail the class. The material is pretty daunting, too. You've got to get this solved.

It may be true that a foreign instructor can be more succinct and target the useful knowledge, but that has no meaning if you can't understand the man. Stress makes that worse. I've found that some people have an innate ability to filter out an accent, and others don't.

Since you've only had one class so far, it may get better simply with exposure to his voice. If it doesn't, some possibilities would be to insist on detailed written materials, record the class and listen to it at home as you study and are more relaxed, or find a study buddy who does understand the guy. Depending on the situation, you may be able to ask to someone to take notes for you.

Also, I would not focus as much on the office politics and the minority issues. Sometimes the rumours are true, but not always. Likewise with your classmates. If you get to know them, I'm sure many of them hold nothing against you at all. Even if they don't, bringing up issues of ethnicity rarely ends up well. If you think there is real abuse and discrimination, that's a different issue entirely.

I hope this gets resolved for you quickly. If not, do what you need to do regardless of ruffled feathers. This is YOUR education, and YOUR future!! Best o'luck!:)