At the very beginning of attending our Access school I found
myself in a difficult position: I was afraid to speak English. I
didn’t know English well and I thought that if I made a mistake
while speaking, everybody would laugh at me. My teacher saw
this and didn't bother me for a couple of lessons. Three days
later he asked me to stay in the classroom after the class.
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“Why do you feel so uncertain and nervous during the
lesson?”
“I don’t know. I suppose because I don’t know the students well,” I replied.
“But why are you afraid to read and speak English? I know
you are doing well,” said my teacher.
“I think that other students will laugh at me if I make a
mistake.”
“My dear girl, you mustn’t be afraid of the students. They
are good children and I give you my word they are ready to help
you if you make mistakes or do anything wrong. You mustn’t be
so shy. I think we’ll start right now. Take your textbook and let’s
read together.”
We began reading, retelling the story and speaking together. I
tried hard to prepare for the next lesson and was waiting for the
moment when I could show him that I wasn’t a fool. At first I stumbled but then I became more confident and read quite well.
He praised me and I realized that he understood my shyness and awkwardness and wanted to encourage me. I think we
understand each other now. Now I attend school with much joy.
Exercises
I. Understanding the Story
What is the lesson in this story?
1. Don’t work hard.
2. The girl is not a good student.
3. Her teacher helped her to be brave in class.
II. Vocabulary
Complete the sentence with the best word in the list.
bother suppose stumbled praised awkward
1. She wasn’t sure of her reading and _________________ over
some words.
2. To think something without really knowing it is to
_________________ .
3. At first he didn’t want to ____________her about her English.
4. The teacher ________________her English.
5. If you aren't comfortable speaking English, you feel _______.
III. Now you Talk
In small groups, tell the story from beginning to end, taking turns.
IV. Now you Write
Write a short summary of this story.
V. Role Play
1. The teacher and the writer: They talk about her shyness.
2. The writer and her mother: They talk about her problems at
school.
3. The writer and a new friend: They make friends after class.
4. The writer and her brother: They argue over the importance of
learning English. |
