Teaching English (ESL) to a class of 10th grade Emirati boys was always filled with its own set of challenges. However, most boys were filled with kindness and an eager sense of learning. Sometimes, they tried so hard that you just wanted to give them an “A” for effort (As one boy pointed out to me; “effort” doesn’t start with an “a”. How do you not pass that kid?)
Sometimes, even though they tried hard, it was difficult to not have a bit of a laugh at their “effort.” Saif, in particular, had a very difficult time with antonyms—which I just called opposites. (Why did English have to make this so hard and create the words synonyms and antonyms? When same and opposite do just fine?) But anyways, Saif and the rest of the class had been working on opposites.
On test day, I prepared a section devoted to this. I would provide clues and then the first letter of the word and the number of letters required to complete the answer. The students had to fill in the blanks. For example: The opposite of mean? N __ __ __.
Most students did fairly well. But Saif’s attempt provided my entertainment.
Now, Saif was a very studious student who agonized over lessons and did his best to learn and excel. He tried to work through problems the best he could and his face would contort as he focused to recall past words. I noticed he was stumped on Question #8.
The particular question read: The opposite of ugly? And I provided the first letter as B; with 8 letters following. As time wound down, I watched Saif furiously scribble his answer and turn in his test.
I am so glad I waited until after the class had left to review the tests, because I did not contain my laughter when I read Saif’s answer. He had filled in the blanks to read: B o p p o s i t e. Starts with a B; followed by 8 letters. Bopposite!
Did I mention we had worked on rhymes earlier in the week? Again, how do I not give him credit for that answer? :)
Sometimes, even though they tried hard, it was difficult to not have a bit of a laugh at their “effort.” Saif, in particular, had a very difficult time with antonyms—which I just called opposites. (Why did English have to make this so hard and create the words synonyms and antonyms? When same and opposite do just fine?) But anyways, Saif and the rest of the class had been working on opposites.
On test day, I prepared a section devoted to this. I would provide clues and then the first letter of the word and the number of letters required to complete the answer. The students had to fill in the blanks. For example: The opposite of mean? N __ __ __.
Most students did fairly well. But Saif’s attempt provided my entertainment.
Now, Saif was a very studious student who agonized over lessons and did his best to learn and excel. He tried to work through problems the best he could and his face would contort as he focused to recall past words. I noticed he was stumped on Question #8.
The particular question read: The opposite of ugly? And I provided the first letter as B; with 8 letters following. As time wound down, I watched Saif furiously scribble his answer and turn in his test.
I am so glad I waited until after the class had left to review the tests, because I did not contain my laughter when I read Saif’s answer. He had filled in the blanks to read: B o p p o s i t e. Starts with a B; followed by 8 letters. Bopposite!
Did I mention we had worked on rhymes earlier in the week? Again, how do I not give him credit for that answer? :)
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