School Policy

Speaking Tests

I spent all day Friday doing speaking tests with the students. We did three and then got a 15 minute break then three and another break. During our generous half hour lunch break, Henri asked me if I was doing okay. I said that I was getting a little tired of talking to kids, that I was tired of talking about the articles and that I was trying to come up with new questions. He said it only gets worse.

I managed to get through fifteen on Friday and I have another fifteen scheduled for tomorrow - and the same through the week. Some of the kids are doing well. I had an Asian girl who was like a CD of an encyclopedia. She just talked and talked about everything I asked. She even talked about stuff we'd never talked about. She went on and on and on. Unfortunately, her English was a little choppy in the grammar department.

Then there was another Asian girl who couldn't remember anything. She said, "I am so nervous. I can't think." I said, "You are seventeen. You need to do something about that nervous thing. Do it now. It will be the death of you in the future."

Of course some of the kids are high on charm and low on English speaking ability. There was one kid, Surinamese probably. I just thought, What a queen! Hands everywhere. Talking a mile a minute. Such a variety. I also had a kid who I don't like at all tell me what grade he should get because he is better than most of the other kids in the class. Maybe he's right, but he's an asshole.

Come to find out that many of these kids would be happy with a 6 (out of 10). I'm shocked. It will be a long day tomorrow, topped off by classes in the evening at the college.

Oh! I found out that one of my classes - the first years - told on me for skipping class last Monday. Of course I skipped out because I hadn't studied, and I said that it was because they had not read the chapter, which was partially true. But they told on me, the little shits. I will keep them the whole time tomorrow. Don't you worry.

posted by Philip @ 11:03 PM