Should Have Shut Up At ‘Shut Up’
Elementary/Primary School | Learning
| May 27, 2015
(I teach English in Korea and sometimes the students use words they’ve heard outside of class. One student is talking and won’t be quiet.)
Student #1: *to talking student* “Shut up!”
(I look at him, and he realizes he was rude.)
Student #1: *to same student* “Shut your mouth!”
Me: “‘Shut up,’ ‘shut your mouth,’ and ‘be quiet’ all mean to stop talking, but ‘be quiet’ is nice. You don’t want to be rude.”
(Inspired by things one shouldn’t do, a student in the back of the class suddenly stands up, two middle fingers blasted towards the ceiling.)
Standing Student: “And teacher, NO F******!”
(I wanted to laugh but instead told him that he was right, the gesture and the word were not something to say to parents, teachers, and most other people!)
