No funnies
I taught English to a group of guys from the telephone support dept. of a national energy supplier. Normally, in the first lesson of a course, I don't really plan to have much of a lesson. I usually have more of a fun general chat / get to know each other time. The first lesson with this group went something like this:

EAGER TEACHER FULL OF JOY & ENTHUSIASM: Hi, my name is Mr ComplexStuff, I'm your new English teacher. Today is our first day so I'd like to get to know you and your interests so I can plan the course to best suit you and your needs. *points to first student (who looks like he's not seen sunlight in years and is still dressed by his mother)* So, what have you been doing today?

ANEMIC LOOKING GEEK: Er... nothing.

EAGER TEACHER FULL OF JOY & ENTHUSIASM: OK, a quiet day at the office. Tell me what you did at the weekend. Did you go out?

ANEMIC LOOKING GEEK: Er... no. I just stayed at home.

TEACHER FULL OF JOY & ENTHUSIASM: Fair enough, I had a quiet weekend too. What did you do at home? Do you have any hobbies.

ANEMIC LOOKING GEEK: Er... no, not really.

TEACHER BECOMING RAPIDLY LESS FULL OF JOY & ENTHUSIASM: OK... no hobbies? You don't play any instruments? You don't belong to any sports clubs?

ANEMIC LOOKING GEEK: Er... no.

TEACHER TRYING TO MAINTAIN FACADE OF JOY & ENTHUSIASM: Do you play games online, perhaps? Do you like watching DVDs?

ANEMIC LOOKING GEEK: Ermmm... no.

TEACHER FAILING TO MAINTAIN FACADE OF JOY & ENTHUSIASM: So, what DO you do when you're not working?

ANEMIC LOOKING GEEK: Nothing much. I sleep.

TEACHER MAKING MENTAL NOTE NOT TO ASK THE ANEMIC ONE ANY MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT SOCIAL ACTIVITIES: OK, we'll come back to you. *points to next student whilst trying to regain excited tone* What can you tell me about your job?

FAT GUY WITH LITTLE BEADS OF SWEAT ON HIS FOREHEAD, GREASY HAIR AND A SEE-THROUGH MOUSTACHE: Ermm... not much...

*pregnant pause as teacher dies a little inside*




Seriously, the whole group of 8 adults (aged 18-30) took all of about 3 minutes to go through their entire social lives, interests, hobbies, jobs and career goals. they did NOTHING. A more unimaginative, uninspiring, insipid human beings I have never met.

If that group were a colour, it would be beige.
(ComplexStuff Was confused by life on, Thu 24 Sep 2009, 19:56, 4 replies)

don't ever work in Japan.
trust me on that one.
(knackerz is skinning up, Fri 25 Sep 2009, 0:40, closed)

Or China
I know.
(McChinaman banned, Fri 25 Sep 2009, 1:13, closed)

That's disturbing.
Rather.
(Scritty Bakerman., Sat 26 Sep 2009, 14:11, closed)

I lead an exciting social life and do many interesting and adventurous leisure activities.
But I deem them to be no one else's damn business, which is why when asked at silly work 'team building exercises' and other bullshit things like that I reply "er....nothing".

I think you see where I'm going.
(Seance Trumpet has got no beef with a man enjoying a croissant, Sun 27 Sep 2009, 22:54, closed)