Job Discussion Forums

tarzaninchina · Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 348 Location: World

Today I worked on some pronunciation in-class and we came across the term 'pick up line'. Mentioned a few easy-to-understand-ones, but then, just before the bell went, I wrote the following on the board.

"Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"

Then I had a second thought. When they asked what the meaning was I decided not to teach them and erased it from the board just as the bell went. Naughty monkey. Embarassed

The girls were clueless, but I'm pretty sure the only two boys in-class understood. Still don't know if I crossed the line there, but I surely approached it. Hopefully I put the brakes on soon enough.

Thoughts?

Sinobear · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 1269 Location: Purgatory

How old are your students?

tarzaninchina · Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 348 Location: World

They're 18/19 years old and in college. First year oral English.

ChinaEFLteacher · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 104 Location: China

if i did that here i'm sure they'd get the wrong impression. i also teach about the same type of students. i have to be very careful about anything sxual or they might think i'm trying to pick them up or proposition something. they're still immature about that subject. best not to leave yourself open to misinterpretation in that area is my advice.

Volodiya · Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 3:24 am Post subject: pushing the limits in class

Probably there is no one reading this who hasn't done or said something amuzing to them at the time, but risked creating embarrassment on the part of at least some students- so don't be too hard on yourself. Try to hold off, when you feel the alarm bells begin to ring next time....

Brian Caulfield · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1247 Location: China

Discretion my friend . This is a misquote from May West . She never said this so you shouldn't write it on the blackboard . And I don't think these kids are interested in learning Englilsh to pick up girls of boys with .

joe greene · Joined: 21 Mar 2004 Posts: 200

Male teachers: if your class has any girls, don't try anything. Don't try anything at all. This is a big no-no. On the other hand, if you have a class of all boys, or if you're talking to a group of boys outside of class, you can get fairly explicit. Ask them what 'shooting the airplane' means.

Female teachers: ?? any input from the ladies? Do your female students ask you questions about sex?

Giantbudwiser · Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 6:49 am Post subject:

Stay away from the subject if you want to stay out of trouble

myesl · Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2004 1:06 am Post subject:

laodeng · Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 481

I think the overriding consideration here is that Chinese university students have an emotional age probably five or six . . . or more . . . years younger than their chronological age. A rule of thumb: would you say this to a class of American high-school freshmen?

Guest · Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2004 6:07 am Post subject:

The only thing I have really said in 15 months (and it is a wonder - when I stop and think about it) is one day I was teaching my 12 - 14 year olds the difference between sometimes, often seldom, never etc.

I was talking about the word "never" and I said "I never smoke". There were bored looks on their faces as I thought I would wake them up and I said "I never use the boys W.C.". Well, the class erupted and unfortunately since that time, they are waiting for me to say something amusing, so I am constantly having to think things up that they can understand and that will amuse them.

The other day I asked them to give me some words, over 5 letters. Each child had to say a word which started with the last letter of the previous word. I got to one boy and his letter was "L". He said "long" and I replied "no, long is too short" and we looked at each other and both burst out laughting. About half the class got it and the other half didn't.

Guest · Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2004 6:08 am Post subject:

he only thing I have really said in 15 months (and it is a wonder - when I stop and think about it) is one day I was teaching my 12 - 14 year olds the difference between sometimes, often seldom, never etc.

I was talking about the word "never" and I said "I never smoke". There were bored looks on their faces as I thought I would wake them up and I said "I never use the boys W.C.". Well, the class erupted and unfortunately since that time, they are waiting for me to say something amusing, so I am constantly having to think things up that they can understand and that will amuse them.

The other day I asked them to give me some words, over 5 letters. Each child had to say a word which started with the last letter of the previous word. I got to one boy and his letter was "L". He said "long" and I replied "no, long is too short" and we looked at each other and both burst out laughing. About half the class got it and the other half didn't.