help!

Sally Olsen · Post by **Sally Olsen** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 11:58 am

I certainly will be in Greenland in spirit but I am heading back to Vancouver, British Columbia. My Mom, who was a pilot, has crash landed into old age at 85 and needs a bit of company. I look forward to warmer climes, swimming and scuba diving again!

I don't know how you could possibly do these oral tests with 40 to 80 students. I was exhausted after 48 over five days. I know that I would do it first thing as a practice if I ever had that way of evaluating again. It is a great way to get to know the students and to know their abilities, opinions, beliefs and interests. I would have them reading the text and listening to tapes so they get the idea of how it works better and I would make sure that they had a bit of a speech prepared about their own interests and abilities related to the topics. Of course, there are three more topics than students so that means they have to anticipate a speech in at least 17 topics in the classes for 14 but it is good for them to think about these topics anyway and they are all things they are interested in.

It was interesting that I evaluated their essays at 3 points higher than the censor in Denmark. I was comparing their essays to students I have had in Japan and Mongolia and it seems that they are 3 points lower when compared with Danish students who have studied English for two years longer, have more hours of English a week, English is their second language and closer to Danish. So it is back to read them again and see if I can get my marks closer to the censors.

LarryLatham · Post by **LarryLatham** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 5:36 pm

Work, work, work.

Then is it off to retirement for you then?

Larry Latham

Sally Olsen · Post by **Sally Olsen** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 5:49 pm

Old teachers never retire, they just turn into animal balloon makers at the local park. Look for me in Stanley Park when you come to Vancouver! I actually have three more years before I can do that though.

How is it, retirement I mean?

LarryLatham · Post by **LarryLatham** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 10:53 pm

As you say, Sally, old teachers never retire. Whatever it is that we do to fill our time (may it always be a pleasure), never a day goes by that we don't think about our students and our wonderful lives as teachers. Could there be any better way to live?

Larry Latham