Perpetrating, it starts young ...

So, today this little girl, well not real little she's 15, but this girl really upset me. I'm teaching English right? So she’s supposed to learn it ... Right? Well, it doesn't seem like that’s what she's doing. I got upset because she's lying in the class. The class she's in is a higher level course. This class should have basic conversation skills. She doesn't.

And I'm upset because in this level course, I shouldn't have to repeat little simple sentences three and four times only for you to not understand. I'm looking like, WTF? Come on Cletus, learn.

Somehow she's manipulated the system into believing she knows something she really doesn't. Or maybe, the other students who speak English better just learn faster. One way or the other, something's gotta be done. I'm starting to get a little frustrated with this lil' girl. I ask her questions, she answers "I don't know." I ask her what happened in the day, every time she answers, "Nothing special." As if that's the only English she knows.

I see the road to speaking is going to be a long one with her. Fortunately for her, I'm willing to walk her down it. But, in the least, she shouldn't have to lie. If you have a question, ask it. That's what I'm here for right? To help?. Ask don't lie. If I can't answer the question, there is always someone there who can.

I just really wish she wouldn't hide this from us. Don't pretend to know something you don't, because that one act can have terrible repercussions down the road. Talk about payback being a Bitch, in this instance it can be ... (okay I won't say it M-F, but it can be) worse; a whole lot worse.

Anyways, I'm going to work with her and of course speak with my supervisor about her. This isn't the first time I've had an issue with this child and somehow I feel it won't be the last. But, I'm working on it. Maybe this lesson will have some life-lasting learning and positively reinforcing qualities to it. At least I'm hoping so. And it doesn't have to be that she becomes better at speaking English than I do, in the least I hope she learns how not to lie.

Don't get caught up in the Cloud of Perpetration. It really isn't all that it's cracked up to be.

As I shake my head and Sigh, I'm out.

Peace


© Robyn K. Mizelle, September 2007.