I've been getting bent out of shape about my students making fun of my accent all the time. It happens a lot: I say something in English and they repeat it in a dreadfully exaggerated American accent. Then they laugh. It makes me want to scream.Today my 10th graders were at it again; I kept hearing echoes of my voice all over the place. I was about to lose it when I happened to eye some of them and realized they weren't looking at me at all. They were completely focused inward, working hard to recreate the sound, oblivious to my reaction.
That's when I realized it: they're not making fun of me. In fact, what they're doing is trying very, very hard to sound American. Because sounding like an American is cool.
It was just about the cutest thing ever, and I had a big stupid grin for the rest of the day. Good times.
And that is what teaching is all about!
ReplyDeleteYou go!!!!! Just think, next year they'll get in trouble for that American accent. Make it strong and make it thick. It's totally worth it!
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