Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Chuvok]

A novel idea, post some of the funniest mistakes your students have made!

Two recent ones come from the same student here in Russia. The student is a 17 year old boy who is quite masculine and strong looking, like a solider or wrestler.

In our pre-intermediate group of 8 students, we were changing nouns into adjectives. The book gave a list of nouns and the students needed to think up the right answer. So, we were working down the list and this boy's turn comes up with the word 'romance'. Obviously 'romantic' is the correct answer, but this student looks up, stutters for a brief second then says "Mel Gibson!", as though he were sure and proud he knew the answer, without a trace of sarcasm or humour. Just out of the blue, Mel Gibson... Why? I don't know. The whole class erupted in laughter!

Same student, today, was telling the class about what he wants to become in the future. He said he wants to join the 'МЧС', which is like a rescue service that helps people who are trapped, stranded, or caught somewhere. Sort of like a fireman who doesn't put out fires. Anyway, he said "МЧС saves animals and Chinese people". Again with the look of gratification on his face. I couldn't help but laughing because it made no sense. The whole class started to laugh too. Why the Chinese? And better why do animals come before Chinese people???