Today I just have two classes because D’s taking all of 4b to talk about Matura 2002. That means I have 3a and 4a. I really have no idea what I’ll do with 3a, but I guess I’ll just proceed with the silly business English lessons as per plan. I also have several people from 3b coming to consultation to take the make-up test. I haven’t prepared that test yet, either. I’m not going to do anything special, I think. In the end, I might just give them the same damn test. In fact, that’s exactly what I’ll do. Who cares anyway, right?
I’ve been thinking that regarding my testing. I’ve always been so anal about people not cheating, as if I’m somehow taking it personally that they’re cheating even though I tell them not to. As if it’s a personal affront to me. Well, quite frankly it isn’t. And if they want to go to extraordinary means to cheat and I don’t catch them, then it’s not the end of the cliché world by any stretch of the imagination. So I’ve decided not to be so uptight about it. still, yesterday during 3a’s test I literally turned my back for a moment and tons of people started chatting. I was shocked.
I’ve also decided not to give people complete 1’s for cheating. It only results in more headaches for me because at first they protest that they weren’t cheating; then they harass me about what the hell will be the consequence; finally they ask when they can retake the test. And that’s something I just don’t understand — retaking the test. I give these kids more than a week’s notice; I tell them exactly what’s going to be on the test; I offer all the help I can give. Then when they fail it they want a retake. It’s amazing. It’s such a pain in the ass being so culturally different in one’s teaching.