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Anyone teaching in FE and have "characters" in the class?...

11 replies

UnquietDad · 10/10/2007 20:32

I teach a couple of evening/daytime classes/workshops and I've had some individuals who have been difficult to deal with.

There was one chap at a writing workshop who I just couldn't fathom - I simply couldn't work out why he came back week after week as he made it clear with his body language and comments that he thought the entire enterprise was beneath him. Sometimes when I gave them an exercise on a handout I'd printed, all he did was take it between thumb and forefinger and casually toss it away as if he couldn't even be bothered to look at it. Every week (pretty much) given half a chance, he'd regale us with his epic poems, which were classically-inspred WH Auden pastiches and anti-Blair/Brown rants. I was accused of promoting a "soundbite culture" by asking people to give feedback.

I've got one now who is writing novels in English even though that's not his native language. He writes disturbing stuff too - horror/detetcive tales full of quite visceral, sexual violence towards women. And he is a keenie. I get to the classrom 45 minutes early - I'm a diligent tutor and like to have stuff set out, the kettle on and a plan on the board by the time people turn up - and HE IS ALREADY THERE. He lurks, either in the lobby on the public computer or in the classroom itself, and plagues me with endless questions.

Of course people are going to have questions when they start out, but some of his are of the "don't worry about that yet" kind, and I wish he'd raise them in the class rather than when I'm having my "get my head together" time - or, even worse, at the end of the class when I'm on a tight timetable for my bus home!

Sorry, bit of a rant - hope I'm not alone, anyway!

OP posts:
Tamum · 10/10/2007 20:37

Oh blimey, that sounds awful. I do have characters (HE though) but nothing like that, usually rather endearing. Rant away

UnquietDad · 12/10/2007 11:18

bumpity-ho, as Nigella would say...

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Blandmum · 12/10/2007 11:28

I once taught adult ed and had one chap in the class who never interacted with anyone at all. In any way. He never spoke to me, or any other student.

His coursework was quite the oddest thing that I have ever marked in my life (and I teach kids, so I've seen just about everthing! ).

What I could never understand why why he paid for the course and attended.

Caroline1852 · 12/10/2007 11:47

"Sometimes when I gave them an exercise on a handout I'd printed, all he did was take it between thumb and forefinger and casually toss it away as if he couldn't even be bothered to look at it." I used to teach media law to journalists and trainee journalists. One chap (a sub on a North of England daily) used to eat the handouts I gave him.

UnquietDad · 12/10/2007 12:14

That tops mine, caroline!

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theFlyingEvil · 12/10/2007 12:19

could you not shut yourself in the classroom when you arrive and let keenie man wait outside? i wouldn't think it was unreasonable of a tutor to do this.

i don't teach, but i have attended quite a few classes with "characters" in and tbh they piss off the class just as much as the staff!

UnquietDad · 12/10/2007 12:24

flyingevil - yes, thought of this, but the layout of the place makes it difficult. It's in an arts centre where there are often people around even at 6pm - computer people, young people working on rock videos and so in nearby studios - and there is always someone to let him in from reception to the central lobby area. Often he is there before me!

The stairs to the kitchen and the corridor to the toilets are there too so I'd have to acknowledge him as I go to make a cup of tea/ go to the loo, if nothing else! And if I shut the door of the classroom, he just opens it and comes in!!

OP posts:
theFlyingEvil · 12/10/2007 12:34

tell reception not to let him in. can you not throw oddballs off the course? you'd be doing everyone else a favour too! (i'm not one of your students btw

Caroline1852 · 12/10/2007 12:39

Could you politely tell him that you feel you need a bit of time to gather your thoughts (in the interests of all your students)? Perhaps come to a compromise whereby he can come in and talk to you 10 minutes prior to the session start time, but not before? You could say this to the whole group so as not to single him out and embarass him. Alternatively, ask him to give you a lift home .

deste · 06/01/2008 17:23

I taught a Photoshop evening class and had a similar guy to martianbishop. I would give handouts of all the functions of the toolbar and some shortcuts for the various functions. We did a few exercises before we went on to the projects, usually about a third of the way through the course. Near the end he was still trying to work out what every tool was for and questioned me about one tool in particular. I had given a couple of options but he had found 4 pages of options. By this time he was totally freaking me out, I looked at him and said how many options do you need, you find the one that works for you and stick to it. He looked at me as if to say he hadn't thought of that. I have since found out that there are adults who when they leave secure hospitals are only allowed out from hostals if they have an evening class booked. This could explain a few of them.

Wisteria · 06/01/2008 17:27

You must have the patience of a saint UQD - I would be a crap teacher.
I am a student again and we have a few characters in our group; I find it very hard to suppress the words I would like to say and always admire the tutor who smiles sweetly to herself and never seems to get cross!

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