tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post893260724732057855..comments2023-10-21T11:44:45.588+01:00Comments on ResidentAlien: MotivationMary Witzlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-49019905768239165942009-02-13T07:10:00.000+00:002009-02-13T07:10:00.000+00:00Barbara -- I'm glad you liked the story. I suspect...Barbara -- I'm glad you liked the story. I suspect he's too old for the likes of my students, but I'm sure he'd have a few fans anyway. And although I might be too old for him, he isn't too old for me, so perhaps he could be a shared interest.Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-45937861275406986212009-02-13T06:11:00.000+00:002009-02-13T06:11:00.000+00:00Great story, Mary; it had me laughing out loud. I'...Great story, Mary; it had me laughing out loud. I'm too old for the likes of Orlando Bloom: but if he appeared in his Legolas outfit he'd never be allowed to leave.Barbara Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00610140328527165017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-9303544045459482692009-02-11T23:29:00.000+00:002009-02-11T23:29:00.000+00:00Bish -- It really is great to see motivated kids. ...Bish -- It really is great to see motivated kids. I only wish I could see a little more of that excitement -- and that I didn't have to bring an attractive young person into the class in order to see it. <BR/><BR/>Greenwriting -- My youngest students are 17, but the average age is about 19. Our class sizes are fairly small -- up to about 25, though on one awful occasion, I had a double class of 50 and a first class headache. Last semester, we all had the same group for up to six hours a day. We teachers liked that even less than the kids did. What is your class size like in Mauritania?Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-65794225638126975912009-02-11T23:04:00.000+00:002009-02-11T23:04:00.000+00:00Mary, so fun! My students in Mauri, in Planet Nom...Mary, so fun! My students in Mauri, in Planet Nomad's old classroom, as so much the same.<BR/><BR/>BTW, how many students do you have in your classes? Do you teach the same students all day, or is it like an elective? How old are they? I am sure all that is in your blogs somewhere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-30744634063079107872009-02-11T12:00:00.000+00:002009-02-11T12:00:00.000+00:00What a wonderful story! I know only too well the u...What a wonderful story! I know only too well the ups and downs of motivating kids. Seeing faces light up and get excited has the scent of roses about it. I wish you continued success.Bish Denhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359927719391990534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-8936275235715628522009-02-11T09:28:00.000+00:002009-02-11T09:28:00.000+00:00PlanetNomad -- Having taught in Mauritania, you kn...PlanetNomad -- Having taught in Mauritania, you know just how wild and hairy an EFL experience can get -- it's hard to describe, isn't it? Believe me, in the thick of things I have to keep telling myself that even if I only give my kids a few good memories of English, that will be better than nothing. I'm not the world's most patient or efficient teacher and my students don't always leave the class happy and inspired, but we have our moments. I'd love to read about YOUR classroom experiences. I often think it would be fun to have an EFL 'cookbook' of different lessons from different teachers in classrooms all over the world. <BR/><BR/>Angela -- If you are ever in this area, you are absolutely welcome to come and see one of my classes! I'll bring my cattle prod, list of parents' phone numbers -- which I'll prominently display -- and maybe also a small bag of candies. That ought to ensure at least 30 minutes of halfway decent behavior. And thank you so much for your kind words -- and, for that matter, YOUR blog.<BR/><BR/>Kara -- I had to look up Crocs(TM). And don't hate me, but they look great -- really comfortable, like shoes I could stand up in for a whole day! How about a group that hates stiletto heels? That I could get into.Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-15461690477494939542009-02-11T00:54:00.000+00:002009-02-11T00:54:00.000+00:00admit it, you want a facebook page now too.really,...admit it, you want a facebook page now too.<BR/><BR/>really, you should join...they have a group where you can collectively hate Crocs(TM).<BR/><BR/>ok, that's really the only good thing about it.karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01690274092026593186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-67758159259736174312009-02-10T22:35:00.000+00:002009-02-10T22:35:00.000+00:00Mary, what did I do before finding your blog? Your...Mary, what did I do before finding your blog? Your stories are always so rich with culture and yet you manage to make it familiar to us, and always there's some good tee-cha humor. <BR/><BR/>I swear, if I'm ever in Turkey, I have to check out your classes!<BR/><BR/>Thanks again for a great story!! Boy are the same, no matter what the culture, lol.Angela Ackermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808259088625142389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-26060794533597436552009-02-10T21:14:00.000+00:002009-02-10T21:14:00.000+00:00I don't comment nearly often enough, but I especia...I don't comment nearly often enough, but I especially loved this story! So often your stories remind me of my own ESL experiences in Mauritania, and you always do such a good job of distilling a wild ESL classroom experience into a blog post. This one was perfect. <BR/>We used to occasionally have groups of university students come and do small group english conversation with our students, and we would tell them, "You will get marriage proposals. Do not go anywhere with these young men." etc. We always tried to only pair men with men and women with women, but the male students would do their level best to get into another group when we weren't looking. But, I also saw shy young women responding to American students, like you did.<BR/>You make me miss them, something I didn't envision ever happening.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-87397054408486002092009-02-10T16:01:00.000+00:002009-02-10T16:01:00.000+00:00Charles -- The boys definitely had playboy fantasi...Charles -- The boys definitely had playboy fantasies before meeting Leah. But when they actually saw her, their sheer lust became more like admiration. Weirdly enough, I think they actually appreciated her mind. <BR/><BR/>Kanani -- She would have! When I was her age, I would have gone to pieces, but I had the feeling she knew just how to handle my unruly bunch. <BR/><BR/>Kim -- That is such a nice compliment. Thank you! I always worry I overdo it on the words and overwhelm my readers. <BR/><BR/>Marcia -- Yes, everything about living has so much to do with motivation! I'm always looking for ways to motivate the kids I teach and the kids I raise -- and myself. Personally, I find that other writers do a lot to motivate me.Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-38447353122995917892009-02-10T15:54:00.000+00:002009-02-10T15:54:00.000+00:00Oh, do keep writing these wonderful stories. They ...Oh, do keep writing these wonderful stories. They are such entertaining reading. And it's all about motivation, isn't it?Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006966091789130047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-26951813304241865752009-02-10T11:45:00.000+00:002009-02-10T11:45:00.000+00:00You draw us in so wonderfully, Mary. these vignett...You draw us in so wonderfully, Mary. these vignettes are so powerful because you get somuch across in such a short space. Wonderful use of language :)Kim Ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02656677501116622953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-63078200902086170892009-02-10T04:54:00.000+00:002009-02-10T04:54:00.000+00:00Great story!I'm sure had they asked "How many boyf...Great story!<BR/>I'm sure had they asked "How many boyfriends do you have, and do you want more?" she'd of found just the right answer!Kananihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08317494343177263398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-35036383705752790342009-02-09T20:27:00.000+00:002009-02-09T20:27:00.000+00:00Isn't that the kind of questions the Playboy model...Isn't that the kind of questions the Playboy models answer? Lol.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-40508189045556459972009-02-09T20:01:00.000+00:002009-02-09T20:01:00.000+00:00Nandini -- Leah thought my students were a fun and...Nandini -- Leah thought my students were a fun and lively bunch, and quite nice. In fact, on this occasion, they actually came close to behaving themselves, so it's not surprising that she had a good opinion of them.<BR/><BR/>Tabitha -- Thank you for following my stories!<BR/><BR/>When I'm teaching, I need to write about it for my sanity. But I've had the past week off, at home, and I find that I need to write about THAT for my sanity too. I worry about my sanity sometimes; it's definitely a good thing that I have this blog. <BR/><BR/>Kelly -- Thank you. Whenever my students act up, it's always comforting to plot my next blog post.<BR/><BR/>GBML -- Thank you. My students would be horrified to hear themselves described as cute, but they really are.Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-5345195353165081802009-02-09T19:40:00.000+00:002009-02-09T19:40:00.000+00:00So cute, and so apropos.So cute, and so apropos.Wrapped up in Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18210700542140339831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-38197437539182652722009-02-09T19:37:00.000+00:002009-02-09T19:37:00.000+00:00What a great classroom story!What a great classroom story!Kelly Polarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-39244357698677105312009-02-09T19:25:00.000+00:002009-02-09T19:25:00.000+00:00Hilarious post!! :) I love all the stories you s...Hilarious post!! :) I love all the stories you share about your students. "Tee-cha" never fails to make me smile. :)<BR/><BR/>I know I haven't been vocal lately (been busy with the insane school system that is Chicago), but I just wanted to let you know that I've enjoyed each and every post on your blog. And I'm so glad you're back to posting regularly. :)Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-3599799284770283492009-02-09T18:11:00.000+00:002009-02-09T18:11:00.000+00:00This is hilarious! Leah sounds like such a good sp...This is hilarious! Leah sounds like such a good sport. What did she think of the whole thing?Nandinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14288011387138842112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-1612316758255368372009-02-09T18:09:00.000+00:002009-02-09T18:09:00.000+00:00Carolie -- Thank you. When I write these vignettes...Carolie -- Thank you. When I write these vignettes, I often feel frustrated that I can't show exactly what these kids are like -- they really are a scream and pretty much defy description. But the fact that you like what I write encourages me no end and makes me want to keep at it.<BR/><BR/>Eryl -- Yes, and it helps if the concrete reason is a tall, willowy blonde with a pretty face. <BR/><BR/>I'm pretty sure that Orlando Bloom could do a lot to inspire my young women students, though they'd have to fight me off first. Actually, he's too old for them now anyway -- he's an old man of 30-something.<BR/><BR/>Christy -- Believe me, I didn't. At first, I covered my mouth with my hands, but when I saw they weren't looking at me, I tittered away quite freely. They never even noticed.<BR/><BR/>Patois -- Maybe he'll google his name and come pay me a visit. If he did, he'd have the satisfaction of knowing that a dozen young Turkish ladies had improved their English just because of him. <BR/><BR/>Charlie -- Considering that some of these erstwhile honest lads would happily have cheated on their final exams given the tiniest chance, it was all the funnier. <BR/><BR/>I'm a little worried about Leah's Facebook overload too, but she's a clever and capable young woman and if anyone can handle it, she can.Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-75233995240615405282009-02-09T17:14:00.000+00:002009-02-09T17:14:00.000+00:00Your classroom stories are just great, Mary--it's ...Your classroom stories are just great, Mary--it's almost like being there.<BR/><BR/>This line is precious:<BR/><BR/><I>"Two dozen male faces suddenly seemed to radiate honesty.</I><BR/><BR/>I hope Leah didn't bite off more than she can digest . . .Charliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722567671925063706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-6796576869013884522009-02-09T16:44:00.000+00:002009-02-09T16:44:00.000+00:00That is just so funny. I wish I knew Orlando Bloom...That is just so funny. I wish I knew Orlando Bloom, too.Patois42https://www.blogger.com/profile/07764936858778730692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-71483590636860365692009-02-09T15:29:00.000+00:002009-02-09T15:29:00.000+00:00Hilarious! Boys will be boys. I don't know how y...Hilarious! Boys will be boys. I don't know how you kept from giggling out loud.Christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05225042488117913679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-45446054883188977302009-02-09T12:09:00.000+00:002009-02-09T12:09:00.000+00:00This had me laughing out loud, thank goodness no o...This had me laughing out loud, thank goodness no one's home this morning! I guess Leah's visit shows that in order to learn you have to have a concrete reason to engage.<BR/><BR/>I wish I knew Orlando Bloom too!Eryl Shieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01818102006775827503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-47853832943654463562009-02-09T12:07:00.000+00:002009-02-09T12:07:00.000+00:00I knew exactly where this was going....and it didn...I knew exactly where this was going....and it didn't matter! I was grinning and giggling, imagining those young Lotharios, thrilled that your shy guy opened up, that your bored young woman was interested, fascinated by your West African student. You really drew me in, Mary -- I LOVE reading your stories!Caroliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11637418089860927715noreply@blogger.com