Teaching English in Swaziland
Essays on the Life of Gordon James Thomas
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In our study of Chaucer, the period was important. The truth about the old story that has a moral for all times was something to ponder. Being in a Christian high school, we had heard a lot of preaching about evil. Even though this was the case, we still cherished reading a narrative poem that is presented with the simplicity of its moral. We admired Chaucer, the poet for his ability to tell the story with a sense of humor. Our analysis made us picture the writer who writes a narrative poem that represents a period when wealth was represented in gold and yet also captured the hazards of money in our era where money had even become paper money. Many a times, I have read Chaucer’s poetry and laughed because his sense of humor makes you see that he loved to have a good laugh.
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About the Book
The book, Teaching English in Swaziland: The Life and Days of Gordon Thomas is about Gordon the teacher and mentor.His life at Manzini Nazarene is one that all his students remember as filled with great moments of teaching and learning. In this book his ideas on teaching are written about in a semi-fictional manner that enables readers to think about their own teaching.The dedication he brought to the teaching task has been analyzed to bring out how he taught composition, poetry, drama and the novel. His students in the class of ‘75 called him “Chaucer.” We thank York University and the Church of the Nazarene for making it possible for such a great teacher and thinker to “sow” into our lives. His students have grown to be professors, ministers, ambassadors and many other important careers that are serving the nation of Swaziland in wonderful ways. The life of a Christian teacher is something that can never be replaced in the lives of students. Gordon will be remembered in all the countries around the world where he worked for all that he gave.Gordon Thomas died of melanoma cancer in 2006.
About the Author
Sarah Mkhonza is a writer activist and Professor of English. She has taught English Language and Writing at the University of Swaziland, Saint Mary's College (Notre Dame), Michigan State University and she is now a Senior Lecturer at Cornell University. She has published two novels and many short stories, poems and plays in both English and SiSwati, the language of Swaziland. Her novel, Pains of a Maid won the MacMillan Pacesetter Boleswa Award. She was a writer in residence in Ithaca for the years 2006 to 2008. Most of her writing explores life in Swaziland. In this book she is writing on the teaching method of Gordon James Thomas who taught in Swaziland at Manzini Nazarene High School.