Reflection on "Teaching English" by Jim Coope

            I recently read a piece from Jim Cooper's book Down on the Island. The selection I wish to discuss comes from chapter 7 of his book which is appropriately named "Teaching English". In this chapter  the author narrates his experience as a teacher at the University of Puerto Rico, at Mayaguez campus, which was and is still one or the largest in Puerto Rico. It takes place during the 1950's, when Puerto Rico was still building and developing their program of education. He takes the time to point out and discuss the problems that both professors and students faced.

University of Puerto Rico , Mayaguez campus (Logo)

            The 1950's where a time of political change for Puerto Rico since there were many movements going, for example, in 1950 it Puerto Rico receive authorization under legislation to have their own constitutional convention and in 1952 the island became United States' Commonwealth territory ( Associated Free State of Puerto Rico).All this political activity lead to the rapid growth in the local economy and structure in general.

            Upon arrival one of Cooper first experiences was teaching English at the "Colegio", name given to the University of Puerto Rico (Mayaguez). As a first time teacher he was concerned with simply giving the class but he then notices there was much more he had not taken into consideration. Most of his students knew little to no English at all. The ones who actually knew English  where the students who came from private schools and hence where thought regularly and strictly in English. This made his task much more complicated.  When he tried to discuss these problems with superiors, he was told "the only way to learn a language is to love its literature", but how can one love literature without understanding it?

"This was common believe held by people who assumed a student

on the university level had been taught at least Latin and probably one

or two modern languages in high school..." -Jim Cooper

            Cooper went on teaching and doing everything possible to help the system. When picked to serve as "chairman of Syllabus discussion Committee" he, along with the support of some other professors was able to change the books, and the approach in order to make it easier for students. Still, professors were struggling with the approach and techniques and students where dragging lack education and structure which was supposed to be given to them in school.  Even after all the effort there was still much to overcome.

“It was clear that no matter what we tried to do,

 it was not going to help much in solving the

 overall problem of English learning in Puerto Rico.” – Jim Cooper

            I do not believe that all that effort did nothing to help in solving the problems Puerto Rico's education was facing, but I do understand the frustration he must have felt. Like all issues regarding a territory there is never much a single man can do, this is why it requires dedication from the general community. Jim Cooper may have not changed "The System" himself,  but he was one of the many people that helped by being concerned citizens and professionals with a real interest in educating.  This journey to get Puerto Rico's  education system to where it stands today was a long one, but it is responsible for making bilingualism part of our national identity.