Halas: The first handout I gave my students in the UAE was more an information gathering exercise. I wanted to see if I had a class of apathetic, non-willing, entitled kids.
Imagine my surprise when one student yelled, “Halas, teacher,” then another, “Halas, teacher,” and another, “Halas, teacher.” And once the first one stood coming towards me, waving the finished sheet in his hand and yelling, “Halas, teacher,” they all followed until I was standing in front of the class with 22 boys eagerly waving their finished work in front of me. “Halas” I learned, means “Finished.”
And imagine my thrill that these boys were so excited and eager to please. I never thought I would have to set classroom rules so I wasn’t bombarded with students so enthusiastic to finish an assignment. It was refreshing. They loved to finish their work, they loved to show the teacher they finished their work, and even though they complained every time I gave them work (they are teenagers), they would eagerly attack an assignment and fill with pride when they produced it for grading.
Imagine my surprise when one student yelled, “Halas, teacher,” then another, “Halas, teacher,” and another, “Halas, teacher.” And once the first one stood coming towards me, waving the finished sheet in his hand and yelling, “Halas, teacher,” they all followed until I was standing in front of the class with 22 boys eagerly waving their finished work in front of me. “Halas” I learned, means “Finished.”
And imagine my thrill that these boys were so excited and eager to please. I never thought I would have to set classroom rules so I wasn’t bombarded with students so enthusiastic to finish an assignment. It was refreshing. They loved to finish their work, they loved to show the teacher they finished their work, and even though they complained every time I gave them work (they are teenagers), they would eagerly attack an assignment and fill with pride when they produced it for grading.
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