There are several things that can ruin an English teacher’s day, but one of the worst is when the awesome lesson you’d so carefully planned is somehow derailed and you have to make up something on the spot.
The school has a cabinet full of extra worksheets that can be grabbed in a pinch, but sometimes this isn’t an option, and here’s why:
One of my most dedicated students – we’ll call him “Fulano” – has class with me 4 days a week. English is a struggle for him, but he always does his homework and is definitely making progress.
However, he’s a little absentminded and sometimes forgets his glasses – and this is a major problem. I’m nearsighted, so if I forget my glasses, I can still read (I just can’t see the board at a distance).
But Fulano is farsighted – meaning printed text is a blur unless it’s in at least size 20 font.
That means working with the book is not an option, nor are any of the worksheets – it has to be a conversation class. If he was a higher-level student, it’d be easy – but he’s pre-intermediate, so conversation can be like pulling teeth.
On Monday, I walked into the room and he greeted me with, “Hello teacher! I forget my glass!”
PREPAREDNESS FAIL. 🙁
Just what I needed on a Monday morning, I thought. We began talking. I asked him about his current projects his home life, and an upcoming trip. I asked about past experiences. I made him tell stories. I asked for more details. I asked “Why?” every time he stated an opinion.
Fulano did his best to maintain the conversation, but after 30 minutes I was out of ideas. What should I do? I thought. I can’t put on a movie, it’s above his level. We could play a few rounds of hangman on the board… but not for an hour straight. HELP!!!
Then I noticed something…
“Fulano,” I said, “What’s that in your shirt pocket?”
He looked down and exclaimed, “Oh! My glass!!!”
I’m not sure if it’s a FAIL that neither of us noticed the glasses in his shirt pocket for a solid half hour…
…or a WIN because it saved the class.
