Welcome to HLS English class - the best place to learn English in Kuantan, Malaysia. English class for children and adults conducted in a fun and creative way. Learn English with Horne Learning Services. English speaking and conversation, reading, writing and listening training based in Kuantan. This is what we do . . .

Tuesday 18 June 2013

When students interview their teacher




Last week I gave my English students the luxury of preparing questions they would like to ask me in a one-on-one personal interview.


This was designed as a means to explore students creativity, writing, reading and speaking skills. It was also intended to give them a confidence boost.


As it turns out, they didn't really need that lift in confidence, as I answered a whole range of questions from silly, to obvious, to hilarious!


Here I'll share with you some of the more notable questions I was asked, and by whom, along with the answers I gave:

To kick off the analysis of the interviews with Mr. Duncan, I want to share this question asked by a young Shuen Lin: 

"Do you like to speak English?"

My response was a "yes" since English is the only language I can indeed speak! I have no option but to like it!

Another similar question with an obvious answer came from Marcus:

"Do you have a toilet in your house?"

I sure do, Marcus. My students, particularly the younger ones, use it often!


Meanwhile, Seng Fong asked me the criminal question, 

"Which daughter is your favourite?"

As you can imagine, this question is impossible to answer other than "I love them both equally."

Kghartie seemed to be giving me a general knowledge test with these two questions:

"Is Pluto a planet?" and 
"Where is the world's driest and hottest deserts located?"

I answered him that Pluto is not a planet, but used to be. Now it's just one of many thousands of similar 'rocks' floating around in that region of space.

Regarding the deserts question, I honestly didn't know, so we did a quick Google search to discover that the Atacama desert in Chile is the world's driest, as it gets just 4 inches of rain in a thousand years while the Lut desert in Iran is the hottest in the world with a recorded temperature of 70.7C!

Mastermind quiz over, here are some more funny questions:


Adam and Brandon wanted to know, (and I'm not sure why!):

"What is your favourite underwear?" and
"What colour is your underwear?"

For those who are interested, I answered 'Superman' and 'white' respectively!

Xiang Qiao: "How many fingers do you have?"
Me: "Is that a trick question? I have 8 fingers, and 2 thumbs!"


Cindy: "What is the thing you like the most about Malaysia?"
Me: "Good weather, good food and good people."

Cassy: "What present did you give to your wife on her birthday this year?"
Me: "An ipad mini."

Muiz: "What is your favourite sport besides football and tennis?" (He knows my sporting preferences well!)
Me: "Formula 1 racing."


Xiang Meng: "Why do you love Man. Utd?"
Me: "They were the first team I ever saw play football way back when I was in primary school. Oh yeah, they are the best too!"

Ser Han: "What is your ambition?"
Me: "To be a famous English teacher."

Jen Yee: "Why did you come here?"
Me: "Because I fell in love with Fidelia!"


Sheng Wey: "What cartoon do you like to watch?"
Me: "Special Agent Oso."

Shafiqah: "Who is the person who inspired you?"
This question made me think. A lot. Eventually I answered "my mum."

Kelly: "What do you think of your Wednesday adult class?" (Kelly belongs in that very class!)
Me: "It's a good class, lots of fun, but they also do all the work I present to them."


Pui Wan: "Where did you get the idea to name your daughters Lauren and Leah?"
Me: "There was a nice girl at my high school called Lauren. She seemed to be different to everyone else and had straight, black hair. I very quietly admired her though I never spoke to her. But I remembered her name. With Leah, we wanted it to begin with "L" like Lauren, and we experimented with many different names. We just liked Leah the best."

To finish off this post, here is a selection of the more amusing questions:

Marilyn: "Why did you marry your wife?"
Let me think . . . you know what? I fell in love with her!

Yu Chen: "How do you prank your hometown friends?"
I mentioned the story of camping with a large group of friends. We went into someone else's tent at 3am and put toothpaste on this boy's eyebrows while he was asleep. It was a killer to get off in the morning!

Irfan: "What are you talking about?"
Well, I had to laugh at that question. I told him I was trying to answer his questions!

Ye Hao: "Do you like Barbie dolls?"
Me: "No." But I probably should have said 'yes' as I play Barbie dolls with Lauren from time to time!



Kelly: "What is your average monthly income?"
Me: "That's confidential!"

Theresa: "Why do you cut your hair?"
Me: "To keep myself cool, and light, and it's easier to maintain."

Sook Chia: "How many girlfriends did you have in college?"
This answer actually included 2 girlfriends in primary school and 3 in secondary school (though two of them lasted no longer than a couple of weeks). So I answered '5, and not at the same time!'



So that wraps up my students interviews. If you don't see your name or your child's name in this post, it probably means you or your child asked me very good and proper interview questions. Not too crazy, not too funny, not too obvious. But hey, I enjoyed answering every single one of them!

Congratulations to my students for successfully participating in a very good exercise!

16 comments:

Cloudia said...

Good job every one :-)

Aloha

Anonymous said...

•✰ •✰ •✰ •✰ •✰ •✰
Bonjour Duncan !!!
J'aime beaucoup ces belles photos ... de beaux sourires !!!!! :o)
Merci pour ce partage et bises !!!
•✰ •✰ •✰ •✰ •✰ •✰

Joanna Horne said...

This is a great post. I love all the different techniques you use with your students.
One of the answers made me (your Mum to those who don't know) cry.
Thank you. I love you

LONDONLULU said...

I love the variety of questions! They really do have inquiring minds...And asking you why you love Man Utd is hilarious:)

Cezar and Léia said...

You have adorable students, I'm enjoying a lot this interview, funny and smart questions!I also love all portraits!
I thought you could speak their language.Anyway, I imagine it's difficult indeed.
I love your answers, mainly about what you like most about Malaysia!
Hugs
Léia

Duncan D. Horne - the Kuantan blogger said...

Thanks Cloudia and Nancy!

Joanna Horne, glad you liked that answer ;)

Londonlulu, there were some very funny questions I was faced with!

Hi Leia, thanks for stopping by! I can speak their language, just not quite enough. It was a great set of interviews, very enjoyable!

Winson tan said...

Very very funny

Theresa said...

It was a very funny question from your students (Included me) I enjoyed this interview:)

Kelly said...

It is a really funny, interesting and worth to read hundred times blog. That is a special and good way in your teaching. I am proud to be your student. Hihi....

Dee said...

These questions made me laugh till my stomachache.but I really like all your answers

Limjs said...

I enjoy the way u conducted the class.

Unknown said...

What is your average monthly income?
haha i really want to know it!

Microscopasia said...

Interesting! Clever and funny questions from student

Unknown said...

Creativity without a border brings out all the funny and silly questions. Interesting!

Pui Wan said...

Oh,I saw my name! Is that mean I asked a not very good and proper interview question ?

Unknown said...

It was great. I never have this kind of opportunity. It will be thought as stupid question. Parent or teachers will try to correct me. It is a great fun adventure for your students