REFUTATION – CHANGE TEACHER’S ATTITUDE

In other hand, there are teachers who regard learners as empty vessels, which need to be filled with knowledge. The teachers tend to assume that the learners do not have any or little prior knowledge and experiences regarding the subject matter that is going to be taught in classrooms. These teachers ignore, knowingly or unknowingly, the individuality of students. They fail to understand and appreciate the learners' own unique experiences, and concepts, notions and views of the world. Budgen (2001)

In addition, Teachers who do not acknowledge each learner's individuality will often lead a boring and unimaginative language classroom because of the minimal participation and involvement of learners. The learners will feel left out and assume their opinions and beliefs as not relevant or important enough to be heard in the classroom. Eventually, this would pave the way to a molding process of passive language learners, and be a cause to the detriment of critical thinking. Budgen (2002)

Furthermore, teachers could gain much by listening to the learners' opinions and beliefs. The obvious one being the enrichment of experience, ideas and thoughts in a discussion of an issue. For this to flow without hindrance, teachers should develop a mutual relationship with their learners. Facione (2000) described this relationship as "I-thou relationship between two subjects". This means that teachers need to consider learners as individuals who are equals in a situation of genuine two-way communication. Spener (2001). Besides that, it must also involve respect. Smith (2002) and characterizes the communication in a manner which is humble, open and focused on collaborative learning. Boyce (2003). More importantly, the learners learn from the teacher, and the teacher learns from the learners.

Moreover, teachers' beliefs and attitudes about themselves, and their functions in language classrooms have momentous implications for learners' ability to think critically. If the teachers think that their primary roles are to teach and provide answers and information, then the learners are exposed to the culture of "spoon-feeding". Eventually, the learners" ability to look for answers and solutions, and to inquire, to decide, to question, to reject and to accept ideas will greatly diminish. Spener (2001)

Hence, teachers need to believe that their major roles are to think, guide, initiate, facilitate and encourage the learners. This will put them in a right frame of mind and lead the learners into becoming a community of collaborative inquirers.