"You cannot teach someone to write." One of my favourite college professors made that declaration one day and it quickly brought our class to attention. During the first term, he exposed us to short films, pop music, current events, and top 40 radio. What does that have to do with writing? Over the years I grew to understand quite well. As a student. And later as a teacher of English writing, At the New School I am responsible for teaching a variety of subjects which will be useful for students in an HBO study. Letter writing: from complaints to the all-important job application letter. Press releases, interviews, brochure texts, reports, reviews, and articles. The challenge is to evolve from a first draft to a final one. To know how to edit one's work and discover the difference between adequate and excellent.
By strengthening their skills in English, it gives students the opportunity to work in English language environments in the future. Poetry and song text are also used in my curriculum, which is very helpful when creating a catchy slogan, coming up with an appropriate name for a product, and creating a brand. Learning the fine art of writing text that is 'kort en krachtig', and understanding that sometimes less is more.
But back to that professor of mine who years later gave me the honour of returning to campus and lecturing to a few of his classes. I was an established writer by then and I remember one of the students raising a hand and asking: "So, do you also believe that you cannot teach someone to write." I smiled, looked across the room at my professor and nodded my head affirmatively.
The task is not about teaching someone to write: it is about exposing, inspiring, stimulating, and provoking: the rest is up to the student. To be curious, open, original, hungry to learn, and to always listen with the third ear. Something I try to do each day."
Docente English Writing: Joan Gannij
