Returning to the basics
Teaching a teenager is a big challenge.
Today, LQ (a 13-yo boy whom I am giving tuition to) asked me, "What's the meaning of "Siren"?"
"Oh. Siren? Siren is a beautiful but daaannnngeroooous woman." I said.
Why does a 13 yo boy need to know the word Siren? Funny school system. I don't think he would recognise a Siren if he sees one. What is the point of learning that word at his age?
"Isn't it a warning device?" LQ asked, checking his digital dictionary.
"Oh....yes. It also means that."
yes, dear ms kee. What's on your mind? Has age erode your capability of viewing things simply. Have you forgotten that Siren is also that yellow flashy thingy usually seen on an ambulance. You are such an idiot!
"Ok. Make a sentence with the word 'pretext'." I asked, after explaining the word pretext to him, which came up in an exam paper.
"Don't know," LQ said. "This word is too difficult."
"Let's do it together then. You know that pretext is something you used to conceal your real intention, right? Let's say there was this guy who wanted to ask a girl out to get to know her but he didn't want to let her know that. So, he made up an excuse that he needed her help at an old folk's home." I said and watched LQ looked at me in bewilderment.
"The sentence structure is very simple: Subject + action + on the pretext of/that + "the excuse" + but + "the real intention." Simple right? Use this template and you can't go wrong. Let's try: He asked her to meet him for coffee on the pretext of discussing with her........." I let my voice trailed off because LQ looked even more lost than before. His intelligent eyes which usually sparkle had already dimmed to a dullness.
Ok. Why did I use that example? From life experience I guess. D, you are so stupid! LQ can't relate to that. He is a 13 yo boy. He thinks about computer games and not how to ask a girl out under a pretext.
"This topic is too difficult. This word is too difficult." LQ said, shaking his head.
yes, it is too difficult for him. How can he as a 13 yo boy understand the complexities of adult human behaviour? There is no need to use the word pretext at his age because they don't do things that way. Only us, the insecure adults would do things or say things under a pretext.
Sigh.....I can't teach him. Life has ruined me. I can't return to the basics.
Today, LQ (a 13-yo boy whom I am giving tuition to) asked me, "What's the meaning of "Siren"?"
"Oh. Siren? Siren is a beautiful but daaannnngeroooous woman." I said.
Why does a 13 yo boy need to know the word Siren? Funny school system. I don't think he would recognise a Siren if he sees one. What is the point of learning that word at his age?
"Isn't it a warning device?" LQ asked, checking his digital dictionary.
"Oh....yes. It also means that."
yes, dear ms kee. What's on your mind? Has age erode your capability of viewing things simply. Have you forgotten that Siren is also that yellow flashy thingy usually seen on an ambulance. You are such an idiot!
"Ok. Make a sentence with the word 'pretext'." I asked, after explaining the word pretext to him, which came up in an exam paper.
"Don't know," LQ said. "This word is too difficult."
"Let's do it together then. You know that pretext is something you used to conceal your real intention, right? Let's say there was this guy who wanted to ask a girl out to get to know her but he didn't want to let her know that. So, he made up an excuse that he needed her help at an old folk's home." I said and watched LQ looked at me in bewilderment.
"The sentence structure is very simple: Subject + action + on the pretext of/that + "the excuse" + but + "the real intention." Simple right? Use this template and you can't go wrong. Let's try: He asked her to meet him for coffee on the pretext of discussing with her........." I let my voice trailed off because LQ looked even more lost than before. His intelligent eyes which usually sparkle had already dimmed to a dullness.
Ok. Why did I use that example? From life experience I guess. D, you are so stupid! LQ can't relate to that. He is a 13 yo boy. He thinks about computer games and not how to ask a girl out under a pretext.
"This topic is too difficult. This word is too difficult." LQ said, shaking his head.
yes, it is too difficult for him. How can he as a 13 yo boy understand the complexities of adult human behaviour? There is no need to use the word pretext at his age because they don't do things that way. Only us, the insecure adults would do things or say things under a pretext.
Sigh.....I can't teach him. Life has ruined me. I can't return to the basics.
posted by eternal bough at 10:32 PM
7 Comments:
Deenece asked NP out for lunch on the pretext of having a catch up session, but really to throw a monthly tantrum.
:)
Dear NP,
That is not a tantrum. I know. Deenece doesn't throw tantrums. She merely cries against injustices that seem to come her way.
tantrum: display of anger. usually used with the verb throw.
Template: Subject (can be anybody except Deenece) + throw/threw + a + tantrum
Use this template and you won't go wrong.
Very funny entry. Reminds me of the time when I was trying to understand the word 'suppose'. My dad said I'm suppose to do my homework. But suppose means I don't right? So I didn't. cos he said I was suppose to do it.
Auntie ... you give tuition?!
I volunteered for just for these two months to help this kid through his PSLE.
heh ... I hope to be a teacher someday too.
what do you want to teach?
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