He was a passionate teacher; this could be proven from the fact that even though he was appointed on just temporary basis he used to stay back in the library to help children in their learning. He taught French to the students who were primarily supposed to learn law. To these legal eagles, this subject was merely peripheral.
At best students were insouciant to learning French and at worst; they were unwilling, at times even ridiculing him for his efforts. Yet he kept going on in his efforts to teach him this language he so much loved.
One day a little more sensitive student came to him and told, “Sir, your efforts are good but you know, this class is not made up of students willing to learn this language.” He paused to judge his reaction but got none, he continued “we just want to pass this subject and move on, as it is in a three months course one can’t learn a foreign language.” He paused again, and then continued, “I hope you understand that sir”.
“I am happy that you care for me kid,” He replied with a smile. “But let me assure you son, I know it from the day we began classes, I also know that you people know that I cannot fail you in this paper. However I appreciate your kindness, for reminding me not to expect anything but ignorance from this class. Thanks”
Their conversation ended there, both went on their own ways. It seemed that the student was feeling some sort of discomfort as he saw that the class was not even respecting the efforts that the foreign language teacher was putting in. He respected him, and wanted to express it in the behaviour towards him too, but was not being able to do so. Maybe because he was not courageous enough to stand out as odd in class.
Throughout the whole course he continued to feel that discomfort, part of that perhaps stem from the fact that his father was also a teacher, teaching a foreign language to students in some other town.
The course ended, even the year ended, but the boy could never convey the gratitude and respect, he had for that teacher. Neither did the teacher think it fit to revert to that one odd kid.
I at times wonder how inflexible and cruel can our systems be to the sensitivities of human emotions???
3 comments:
Very well said..I can relate the things to reality. But one thing is not clear tht who tht odd 1 studnt is?
Swati, thanks for reading,,
could be many..... the thing would have crossed minds of many students, not only one..... so at one particular moment it could be you, on the other it could be me....
learning of a foreign language should be out of choice and not compulsion. I say this from my experience of learning 2 foreign languages:
1. Spanish (a language i hated cause it was a compulsory course and therefore could never learn. Also, it led to a dislike towards the professor as well...:-( )
2. German (a language which i liked and was super enthusiastic about learning it... and i became a fan of the professor)
Point is, anything which is forced on a student, he/she shall most probably never value it....
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