First lesson -- speed dating

Things went pretty well with my first English lesson today. I decided to start with a bit of speed dating. That would give me a chance to listen to people's ability without making them talk in front of everyone.

They didn't understand when I asked one row to turn around and face the other, even when I showed them. They couldn't grasp the idea of talking in pairs, or pretending to be the guard and pretending to be the tourist.

Once they got over that confusion, they seemed to get in the spirit.

As in any group, there are some who have good language skills and there are some who seem to have none. There are some who are willing to try and there are some who are sceptical.

We spent 15 minutes collectively going over the greeting patter, then I asked three people, sequentially, to greet me. The middle one did great. The first one mimicked my hand gesture when saying “very far” after hearing where I was from. It was very very funny.

I was ready to call it a day (leave them wanting more), but they wanted a bit more. We talked about why you don't ask someone their age, and when that question might be appropriate (only if someone is in trouble, and their age might impact the problem). We talked about the answer to the question how far is it to the top of the rice fields, and what the question sounds like.

I made it clear that the punishment for being on your cell phone is a step on the foot. You might have to stay late and learn more. You will not be allowed to leave. Same if you don't talk English when you're supposed to. A step on the foot. Say yes to corporal punishment.

I think it went well. We’ll know tomorrow when we see how many come back.