I had two friends that went to the University of North Carolina Charlotte (UNCC) for intensive english language study. They were non-degree earning students for two years. Their goal was to learn American english better so they could return to Taiwan and earn more money.
They took many ESL classes. I was shocked to discover how anti-American these classes had become. The classes high-lighted the problems with America and did not discuss what made this country great.
They learned much about racism, sex, poverty and crime. Nothing was taught about liberty, freedom, and the US Constitution.
If I had not taught them and other ESL students about America, they would have returned to their home country with a disgust and/or hatred of the USA.
Re: #5
You point hits the mark.
I recently attended an intensive TEFL training course in Boston, MA. and I noticed the very same thing about their curriculum and course books that you mentioned above. Thankfully though, there were many teachers that took it upon themselves to deviate from their course books. These teachers of course, were American. The others, who taught from the course books, were British and other nationalities.
I'm not surprised. We have ESL at my university, as well as a faculty listserv where political arguments often break out. They guy who runs our ESL program is one of the most hard-core lefties on the listserv. There is a big "critical thinking" movement in American universities, and I have found that it too is dominated by the left.
Believe it or not, even in college some American students are disruptive and are not serious about learning. They talk when others (including the teacher) are speaking, call out answers, and do not always pay attention. They do not always do homework assignments, either.
All true. I teach a lot of foreign students in our MBA program. I get immensely respectful treatment from E. Asian, Middle Eastern and African students. OTOH, many of them never say a word in class. Some American students fit the above description, but some of them are very inquisitive, which I prefer. However, the preparation level of the foreign students in math is generally much better.
YMMV, of course.