Excerpt from an article I assigned as reading and discussion for my advanced teenage class:
(about a young pop star named Lights)
"I was home-schooled until high school, then I went to six different high schools... so I would always be the one sitting by my locker, doing my homework..."
My students are confused when I asked what this implies.
So I define "imply".
They nod in understanding.
Then I ask:
"So what does this sentence imply? What does that mean? What is her social life like? Does she have friends?"
They all look at me like I'm crazy.
"What does it imply if she's sitting by her locker doing homework every day before classes or during breaks?"
They look at each other for an answer, then back at me, puzzled.
As I'm trying to rephrase the question one more time, undoubtedly leading them with my wording by now, one student speaks up, interrupting, with, "Teacher, we all do that. That is what students do. We all sit by our locker and do homework or study before or between classes. But we don't know what that implies... except that we are students, of course."
See? This is NOT like teaching in America. These kids don't see a 'social life' as a possibility until they're in college at least.
And no, I'm not saying "We should totally all be this way", cause I can't imagine how much fun and experience they miss out on in their disciplined and diligent lives. But we certainly could take a lesson.
Even a fellow teacher, MiNae, caught me in the hallway to chat. I asked what she'd be doing with her 2 days off for winter break next week (mind you, these teachers work 10am til 10pm right now, M-Sat.)... She'll be going to a class with her boyfriend one day, and studying at the library the next.
Me?
I'll be on the beach, basking in my ignorant bliss.
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