From Awesome to Evil...

One of the most infamous things that TIP is known for is the requirement that all students write and memorize a ten minute speech in English. (Keep that in mind next time you have to speak in public. Just be glad you don't have to speak...and get graded on...in a foreign language) Students prepare almost from day one for these speeches. Guess who gets to listen to all 41 ten minute speeches?
So yesterday, I thought i would play a little prank on my students. :)
We have this game where I play an American song that is either medium or low speed and ask questions about the lyrics, to make sure they are paying close attention. The student who answers the most questions correct gets a small prize or privilege, basically it's an honor thing.
Students usually really like this game and so yesterday morning I told my class,
"OK. I really don't want to have to listen to 41 speeches. Very long. SO how about this. I will play a song where a man talks about some places he has traveled. If you can write down the names of the cities he mentions in this song, I will count that as evidence of growth in your English and you will not have to give a speech. Well, this went over really excitedly and I reminded them that they needed to write down the names of the cities.
Yes! Yes! We understand! PLAY THE SONG! PLAY THE SONG!
I have seen hobos concentrate on powerball tickets less intently than my students were waiting for the song that would deliver them from giving their speech. Or so they thought.
The song I played? I've Been Everywhere Man. by Johnny Cash. If you're not familiar with it, here are the lyrics

http://artists.letssingit.com/johnny-cash-lyrics-ive-been-everywhere-t9jndr2

Over 100 cities spoken in just over 3 minutes. My students faces fell almost as soon as their eyes started to get wider and wider.

Speeches began today. :)