Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[RedRose]

Most of the time, life is boring, we really need some dirty words as an ice break.

For example, the word absolutely doesn't sound as exciting as the word abso-fu ckin-lutely.

[Raven767]

I have taught since 1983 (83-95 Military, 96-08 Civilian), from MS to College. I have cursed twice in class. I regret both, but they were understandable.

1. I had a troublesome 8th grader sitting in the back of the class. I told him to come up to the front. He refused. I asked why, he said, "I don't know what you're going to do."
I walked back to his seat, leaned over and whispered, "if I was going to slap the *beep* out of you, I would have come back here and done it."
I returned to the front of the class and told him to come forward. He did. He never said another word in class.

2. I had a lectern that had a place for me to place my foot. However, it was replaced. The first day, I put my foot up and it fell forward and I stumbled against the lectern.
The HS students laughed hysterically. I responded with 'if I fell and busted my ass, you would all die." They, and I, had a great laugh.

I have used the terms 'ass' (donkey), '*beep*' (female dog) and 'damned' (cursed) in class in the proper context and the proper explanation.

[RedRose]

[Raven767]

[quote="RedRose"][quote="Raven767"]You know, since you were whispering, it only worked on this troublesome boy.[/quote]

Actually, the opposite. He would not tell anyone that I scared him and I would not tell anyone. All they knew was that a little smart-ass started to keep his mouth shut.

I had no problems after that.... from anyone.... it got around school real fast.
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If you have to think whether something is right or wrong, it is wrong.