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Clip art: Clker |
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Clker: Clip art |
If you ever need a quick personality test on most anything, go to the
BBC Science site. Sometime ago, half tongue in cheek, I combined the succinct definitions of Idealist and Strategist there to come up with "Theorist/Researcher," especially those who used to or had been teaching pronunciation in the classroom earlier (Had-beens)--and Realist and Performer, to come up with "Pronunciation Teacher," especially "haptically-integrating" practitioners (HIPs). As I look back on it now, it actually helps explain why many leading theorists in pronunciation-related areas are still not genuinely interested in the clinical side of our work yet. They are still principally concerned with how pronunciation is acquired and
what is taught--not how, at least not on a moment-to-moment basis. (Never forget Yogi Bera's dictum: In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice--in practice, there is!") They are, both types, important to the field, of course, just in different ways!
Had-beens:
- Make sense of the world using inner values AND quiet, easy-going and intellectually curious
- Focus on personal growth and the growth of others AND use logical, objective thinking to find original solutions to problems
- Think of themselves as bright, forgiving and curious AND think of themselves as logical and individualistic
- May sometimes appear stubborn AND may forget practical issues, such as paying bills or doing the shopping
HIPs:
- Loyal and steady workers who meet deadlines AND performers
- Believe in established rules and respect facts AND prefer hands-on learning to reading a book
- Think of themselves as mature, stable and conscientious AND think of themselves as enthusiastic, sociable or sensitive
- May appear too logical or tough-minded and forget their impact on other people AND may forget about commitments--because they're having so much fun! (Rather like in this blogpost!)
I know many "Had-beens" who are becoming hip, in fact. If you are now, or are moving in that direction, join us at the organizational meeting of the International Association of Haptic-integrated Clinical Pronunciation Researchers (IAHICPR - "I, a hiccuper!") at the TESOL international convention in Dallas next March. (The earlier announced meeting date has been moved from February 2013 to March; a first order of business will be to change the name of the organization!)
There are some qualities in the "had-been" column that I really jive with, and some in the HIPS column - is this the "evolution" of the pronunciation teacher??
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