BKC Problem Page

A look in the postbag at some of the typical problems that a DOS has to deal with.

Wayne

Dear Wayne,
I have a problem with the new teacher, Penelope, who arrived last month. She is always moaning about her classes with little justification. Admittedly, 45 students in one class is a little on the large size, and the levels are rather mixed (pre-int. to advanced), but there's nothing that a decent teacher shouldn't be able to deal with. OK, the three lads who just got of prison can be uncooperative, but since I confiscated their knives they no longer pose a physical threat. I just can't understand Penelope's attitude. What can I do to make her more enthusiastic?

Slava, BKC Tula

And you wonder why you've had six different teachers in the last three months?

Dear Wayne,
I am unhappy with my BKC flat. At first it was just small things, like no water for two months and the odd rat in the kitchen, but recently living here has become decidedly more uncomfortable. Two guys in long black coats have moved into the large room and I can't say I find them particularly friendly. I don't know what is in those heavy sacks that they drag home in the early hours of the morning but the red stain on the carpet is very difficult to get out afterwards. Is there any way I can change flats?

Lisa, Kropotkinskaya

No. Just be nice to the guys in black.

Dear Mr. Wayne,
I am in love with my teacher. I send him little notes at the bottom of my homework but so far he hasn't noticed. How can I convince him that I am serious?

Olga (Playway 1 student)

Don't send any more notes until you've at least completed Snapshot.

Dear Wayne,
I think I might be getting obsessed witfi TEFL. It started off with just a bit of extra prep in front of the TV but now all of my spare time is taken up with lesson design. I spend most of my salary on new coursebooks and Oksana is sick of me phoning to ask if anybody needs covering. What's more, my girlfriend has just left me because she said it was boring talking about grammar all the time. Can you help me?

Trevor, Tverskaya +10 other schools

Ask Oksana nicely and she might give you some more overtime