Still Teaching EFL in Malta

 

        

 

               "Free at last! Free at last! ...

                 Thank God Almighty,  we are free at last!" 

These are the words spoken by Martin Luther King, Jr.,  during his 1963 I Have a Dream speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. 

And these were the words I was singing to myself last Friday after being released from that horrific TOEFL class I was teaching.  This is the class where I had to prepare about eight students to get ready to take a proficiency test in English in order to get into an American university or internship.

There were six main problems with this class and, unfortunately, they were all French.  Mind you, I have nothing against French people--just against these French students who were in this class.  Two other French students were absolutely delightful and dedicated people.  But they left and went back to France.  I also had a wonderful student from Austria and a great student from South Korea.  They have an excellent chance of passing this horrid exam.  And I'm sorry I had to abandon them.

But the other etudients were so disrespectful that I couldn't stand it anymore.  One time I mentioned something about young people. And this one French gentleman--age 19-- asked me, "Well, what is young to you?"

Amazingly, it was this same little twerp--who could hardly speak or understand a word of English--who somehow conveyed to my DOS (Director of Studies) that he thought I wasn't smart enough to teach English. 

That was it. I told the DOS I was done with the class.  I had to only finish out the last week and then orientate another teacher. This teacher should be very good; she's had 25 years of experience in dealing with pain-in-derriere students.

Now--here's the best part of the whole thing.  Friday finally came.  These students--the ones I hate--had seen on previous Fridays how I had brought in a cake to say goodbye to the nice students.  Well, there were no nice students left on my last day.  Hence, no cake, of course.

Would you  believe one of the class bitches asked me why I didn't bring in a cake???

I told her she was lucky I didn't bring in a bomb and leave it for them. 

Okay, I didn't say that.  But I thought it.

As a replacement for that last class, I'm now teaching an intensive class with only two students.  One is French. But she seems fine so far.  We'll see.

Comments

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Thanks, Birthmateus, for your kind comment. What does your email name mean?--Ilene

[birthmateus]

wow this is outstanding comment for posting, thank you.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Dee--thanks for your good wishes. Yes, so far so good. I had a good week with the second class which was a short-term intensive class for two students. Next week, I start with another one. This past Friday, I said good-bye to five students I loved in my advanced class. Amazing how attached you can get to someone in just two weeks.

[Dee Owen]

Sorry that you were having such a bad experience with that class. But good that you are rid of it and able to move on. Good luck with the new one, hope its a better experience!

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Bonsoir, Joe. Merci for your comments sympathiques and insights into the French pysche. My daughter, who lived n France for two years, says that the French won't speak English because they find it so difficult--not that it's beneath them. But they make it seem like it's beneath them. Anyway, love your comments!!! Ilene

[Joe Arevalo]

Actually, I am a bit surprised they want to learn English. Experience has shown that my French aquaintances avoid speaking English if possible. It was a bit beneath them. Here is a classic reminder. "In English? Chirac won't hear of it": A 2006 NY Times article:: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/24/world/europe/24iht-chirac.html

Anyway, for better or worse, they are who they are...and quite proud of it. Try to understand them.

At the European song contest, year before last, I don't rember 2009, the announcer from France was the only one of 42 countries who didn't speak English to the viewing public.

Maybe next time some baguette, little cheese and red wine with the lesson?

Hang in there. Love your stories.

~Joe