📙 Part 2: Describe a time you encouraged someone to do something they did not want to do

This episode's vocabulary

In particular - especially.

Vital (adj.) - necessary for the success or continued existence of something; extremely important.

Initially (adverb) - at the beginning.

Animated (adj.) - full of interest and energy.

Beckon (verb) - to move your hand or head in a way that tells someone to come nearer.

Firm (adj.) - not soft but not completely hard.

Fashion (noun) - a way of doing things.

Mischievous (adj.) - (of behavior) slightly annoying or slightly bad, esp. in a playful way.

Disruptive (adj.) - causing trouble and therefore stopping something from continuing as usual.

Task at hand - its is the current task that someone is doing that they are currently working on.

Bodily (adj.) - if you lift or carry someone bodily, you lift or carry them in your arms.

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Questions and Answers

M: Rory will describe a time he encouraged someone to do something they did not want to do. He'll say who he or she is, what he encouraged them to do, how he or she reacted and explain why he encouraged them to do these things. Rory, are you ready, darling? Rock and roll.

R: Well, I do this every day because I teach young people English and generally speaking, young people do not want to do things that adults want them to do. That's just in their nature. Any teacher will tell you that. It's not just English teachers, it's primary school teachers, for example, as well. Anyway, I do remember one particular case in my grade one class this academic year. And we were trying to do an activity and one girl in particular did not want to participate at all. She was hiding under the table and not joining in the circle to see the demonstration of the task. When I say circle, I just mean like the kids are or were sitting around me and they were watching what was happening. And this is pretty vital because without clear models and demonstrations, they can't do much at that age. And I wanted them all to talk to each other in English beyond just a few words. So they needed to understand this task. It's kind of important. So I encouraged her to join us initially by calling her name and then by raising my eyebrows, which I do. My eyebrows are quite animated. And then after that, by beckoning her over with the finger. And when all of that failed, I pointed to the ground next to me in a very like firm fashion, that didn't work either. Then I asked in Russian nicely, and there was no response beyond the sort of mischievous look on her face. And after that, I asked again in Russian, but less nicely and still nothing. And it was beginning to get a bit disruptive at that point because I was focusing on her, not the other students. So they were beginning to get a little out of control. And I really needed to get on with the task at hand. So I went over and I picked her bodily up and I carried her over to the group and placed her gently on the ground next to me. I think it was quite a shock for her and the other kids, to be honest with you. But one thing is for sure, we never had any problems like that again after that. I can only imagine why that might have been.

M: Wow. And how did the girl feel?

R: Um, I think she was surprised, but then she was able to do the task, which was more surprising for me, to be honest.

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