Mauvais et Mauvaiser--French EFL Students

 

               The French Revolution

                                      June 23-June 27, 2009

You know how the French are--they don't like something and they take to the streets.  This time the three of them took to the halls of my school.

I'm supposed to be preparing them for a test called the TOEFL--an English proficiency test students have to pass to get into certain university programs.   I say I'm supposed to prepare them because I'm trying hard, but it's not working.  These guys can hardly speak or understand English, yet alone take a proficiency test in it.  All along I've felt they signed up for the wrong class. 

But last week, they decided they got the wrong teacher.

One day last week, my DOS called me in and told me not to get upset.  (I immediately fell into a deep state of relaxation.) She said the three French guys--actually led by the ring leader with the sunburn--came to her complaining that the course is too hard, they haven't learned a thing and they want a new teacher.  (Of course, it might have helped if they had shown up once in a while--perfect example of the past perfect tense in English).

These things happen all the time, she explained.   And if it turned out that she had to get them a new teacher, it would just happen and she would find me another student.  I got good ratings from all my other students, so she knew the French guys had some kind of problem (besides having to take a test about a language they know nothing about). 

So this past Wednesday, she told me to just go in and do the class and get through it.  So that meant three more days with these nice young lads.

I decided that since it was a done deal, I would really give them a reason to want another teacher.  So I was mean to them, really mean. I read them a list of rules:

-no more jumping up to read Facebook in the middle of the class

-no more side conversations in French

-no more staying in class with a hangover

-no more pronunciation contests (this was the most cruel of all).

Oh, and no more examples of women as a means of explanations.

 

I did my time for the remaining two days--and so did they. On Friday, my DOS called me in, sighed and said they wanted me back.

It's the first time I can remember swearing in front of a boss. And to top it off (common English idiom), she told me that a new student was joining next week--a young woman from Korea. 

I can just picture that delicate flower in a class with these thugs.  I just hope she knows martial arts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi there Dee, haven't heard from you in a while. Thanks for your comment. Two of the bad influences have gone back to France, so I'm more optimistic now---Ilene

[Dee Owen]

Glad to hear you're having a more positive experience with the French and a nice young lady. Maybe the boys will behave a little better now. Yes, it's hot and humid down here also.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Lynda, You've got a way with words ;-) BTW, just to let people know--I recently got a new French young woman in class and she is delightful. So nothing against the French in general--just these particular guys---Ilene

[Lynda Adlington]

Hola , b..... french, such trouble makers, treat them mean Ilene, don't take no crap, we know your great, if in doubt give them a slap.

( not really Health and Safety most probably will have something to say, and don't start me off on them .....)

Verrrry hot here too.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi there, Edward, Clare, Alexandra and especially Mary, thanks for all your comments and good advice. Merci. I am learning to chill out; that's the only way to go--especially in 95 degree F. when the school air conditioner sometimes works; sometimes not. But yes, all this makes for good stuff for my blog which I hope entertains you---Ilene

[Mary Bartolotta]

May the Lord bless you. You'll learn from each of these crazy experiences and someday when one of the French men has matured and is very successful because he has learned English, he'll come back bringing you flowers and so grateful for the wonderful teacher you were. Don't get crazy worrying about whether your students will pass the TEOFL. All you can do is the best that YOU can and the rest is up to them. It's not your problem, but theirs. Chillax (new American idiom for you)= chill out and relax. You'll be much healthier in your old age if you learn to do that. Ciao for now and regards to Mr. S. Mary

[Alexandra Claes]

"Tough love" always does the trick.

"bibimbap and kim chi".....yummy. Your little Korean girl can teach the frogs how to cook :)

[clare]

oh you poor, poor thing. bad apples, those classes. just move on, shake 'em off :) the ones that'll love you will MORE than make up for them!

[Edward]

He he he he :)