Walking past an electronic temperature gauge yesterday evening at 7.30, I saw that it was 35º C (about 95º F). Guess that means that we're heading towards summer even if we haven't reached the traditional 40th of May when we can officially put away our winter clothing. Someone on here has predicted a cold summer, like the famous year when there wasn't a summer in Europe and America, because of the continuous eruption of the Icelandic volcano that no one's capable of pronouncing. If our recent high temperatures are any indication, it'll be anything but cold here.I know I haven't been posting much here lately. I've been busy and having a backache isn't very conducive to sitting in front of a computer for very long. Thankfully the old back is better now - if only everything else were better. I still can't believe the news that I received the other day. See what you think. I've been teaching in Spain for over 30 years, and one of my students, who I've taught privately for the last 6 years , has failed English at school. I'm not exactly sure how many students are in her class, but only ONE person passed with a bare pass and this student I'm told is an honour student. Does it make sense to anyone that out of an entire class only one should pass? I know my student and I know what she's capable of. I can't speak for her classmates, but I know she doesn't deserve to fail, especially when the university course that she wants to do needs a good mark in English. Besides, until they change it which they're supposed to do next year, the English exam for entrance to university isn't so difficult. She'll be permitted to re-take the exam in September and also do the university entrance exam. I haven't spoken directly to her yet. I know she was nervous about picking up her exam results, so I can only imagine how unhappy she must be. I only wish I could see the exam she did!
That's my great-niece up there. I had put a link to my sister's photo album, but she changed it to 'Contacts Only'. Not too long ago I saw she'd posted the album on Facebook, and Facebook DOES own your photos. My posts are almost never posted for everyone anyway, so I hope they don't mind if I post one photo. Babies and animals are some of the most precious things we have on this planet!
Your new niece is beautiful! What an adorable picture! Disappointing news about your student. I hope she is doing okay and knows she can retake the exam in September. It has been in the 90s here for awhile now. We have summer almost all year long... though our "winter" was a bit cooler than usual.
ReplyDeleteYour great-niece is precious, what a beautiful photo. What heartbreaking news about your student. That does seem some what strange that all but one student passed the course. I hope the school will look into this matter. Glad to hear that you are feeling better with your back but please continue to take of yourself and enjoy that wonderful weather you are getting.
ReplyDeleteisnt it lovely!!! we've had sun now for 3 full days!!!
ReplyDeleteHave you managed to get hold of one of the papers to check out why no-one passed??
Beautiful little girl, auntie Brenda!!
Brenda your great niece is so precious. Something wonderful about a new life starting a journey called life. how precious. Hope ur back is much better. . I dunno but i got the feeling your student didn't get a fair grade? 95? sitting here with a blanket lol
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful baby. sorry to hear you have not been well just hope you are feeling better now. I have no idea how exams work where you are but i do know teachers are often surprised that some students fail who 'should' pass and some pass who 'should' fail......sometimes the exam process seems to make no sense at all. Slowly we seem to be changing over to a continuous assessment process which in lots of ways works better.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better
ReplyDeleteAnd yes a precious gift we find in babies and animals. One we should take care of well.
Beautiful picture.
No that doesn't make sense only one passed. Something is wrong than. I was raised by a Teacher/Professor. I know it's a hard job. But one?? No one is born with the ability to solve all problems successfully, making good decisions every time. This is where education comes in. And a good one can mean so much.
Education that affects mind and heart so as to transform people from within to lead better lives-to become more knowledgeable about life-have we lost that view in our educational system?
Nice to see as a teacher--you question that--more should
Best wishes to the students there. Hopfully this won't hinder them to much.
Yeah summertime--and the living is easy. After my winters--glad to see it
Thee, it sounds like you're having a hot weather over there.
ReplyDeleteAt work they think I'm totally nuts when I say that for as long as it stays under 20'c I'm happy. Here they love heat but personally I'm not a fan. The main thing is that I have pretty little holiday this summer and it's terrible to sit at the office if it's 30'c+ outside.
Such a beautiful baby. Having two around me sure makes me feel younger. lol
ReplyDeleteSorry about your back giving you problems. Glad to hear it's better.
Tough break for your student. Hope thing come around for her this Fall.