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dreadnought · Joined: 10 Oct 2003 Posts: 82 Location: Sofia, Bulgaria

Having watched myself teaching on tape a few times, I always knew I had an annoying habit of saying 'ok' almost every other word, putting a rising intonation on almost every sentence (regardless of whether it was a question or not) and repeating sentences for absolutely no reason; however, I've recently become aware of a really irritating habit of bouncing my legs up and down when sat at the front of the class. I'm aware that I must come across as some kind of moronic baboon to my students...

So, what weird verbal and physical tics do you have when teaching?

danielita · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 281 Location: SLP

I seem to finish many sentences with "so..." usually with a falling intonation...not sure why, but one of my students asked me why I do this and I had no real answer....

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

When changing from one activity to another, I often say "so" or "ok" randomly before introducing the new activity. I don't know if it bothers my students, but now that I'm aware of it, I'm bothered by it! I used to be a radio journalist and to break myself of saying "um" on the air, I substituted words such as "ok" and "so". Guess it has stuck with me!

Will. · Joined: 02 May 2003 Posts: 783 Location: London Uk

right, ok.
Now then,
where was I?
Are you all ready?
what page were we on?
I know we did this before
Are you sure we didn't do this?
Yes! This was set for your homework

Apart from that.
favourite tic, stopping mid-sentence to follow another thought for the follow on. It leaves them completely baffled.

acwilliams · Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 8:47 am Post subject:

hlamb wrote:

Calories · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 361 Location: Chinese Food Hell

haha, I say okay all the time and some classes think it's soooooooo funny. All the little boys (teenagers to be more specific)love saying OOOKAAY!

Since I can't be bothered to learn or pronounce any of my Chinese students names when I need one of them to talk or have a go at a game I say "you?" but I almost always make it sound like a question. Little boys do love saying "yoooooooooooooooooooou?"

I lean on the chalk board and get chalk all over me at the end of every class.

I walk around too much because I get bored and I'm hyperactive.

expatben · Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:27 am Post subject:

I think we all have are things students and teachers. My thing is before we move on to something new I clap my hands as if to say we are done.

I also say OK a lot.

younggeorge · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 350 Location: UAE

angrysoba · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 446 Location: Kansai, Japan

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

But I like that cross-switching, ne? Laughing

Actually I sometimes clap my hands too, but it's to get students' attention when they are busy jabbering.

My favorite thing is sitting ona desk sometimes, and almost falling off Rolling Eyes

!

Frizzie Lizzie · Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 2:42 pm Post subject:

I actually did fall off a desk-chair once...I was getting feedback from my students and the next thing I knew, my legs were up in the air and I was on the floor!
I've not sat on one since...

expatben · Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 3:01 pm Post subject:

Jizzo T. Clown · Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 8:53 pm Post subject:

Fatcat · Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 92 Location: Athens, Georgia

"I hope I don't come across as a Mr. Mackey (mmkay?)"

I had a professor in college who did it just like Mr. Mackey!! Very, very distracting trying not to snicker throughout his class.

Kurochan · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 944 Location: China

When I was teaching second grade, I realized that when I got so mad I could barely take it anymore, I always took off my watch. Why, I don't know.