Wednesday, June 06, 2007

VOICES FROM THE PAST

A couple of months ago, out of the blue, I received a phone call from an Italian student whom I had taught in Britain over twenty-five years ago. I’d taught him both Italian and French, the latter to A level. “Why did he need to learn Italian?" you may ask and the answer is that, until the advent of television, many Italians spoke only dialect, and, although that was not the case with regard to this student, he needed a qualification in standard Italian to get a job if he returned to Italy. So he needed practice in the written language and, of course, training in exam techniques. Well, all these years later he’d found my blog, recognised me and looked up my phone number here. I was delighted to hear from him and later received a follow-up letter telling me all about his life now. He is a successful businessman in the UK.

Hearing from, or about, former students is nearly always pleasant and, like most teachers, I have some with whom I have always kept in touch. One told me that, a few years ago, she was in the Louvre when she bumped into 2 other students from her school and her year. All 3 agreed, she said, that I had made them want to go there one day. That was one of the best moments I ever had, for your exam “successes” are one thing, but knowing that you have inspired someone is quite another. I like to think there was a little bit of me there in the Louvre with them that day.

You will note that I wrote “nearly” at the beginning of the above paragraph, for there is the odd occasion when you meet a past student and want the ground to swallow you up, as was the case with me one fine day in Cardiff: I was strolling along a fairly busy street, minding my own business, when all of a sudden an enormous, battered American car with music blaring out of all its windows screeched to a halt beside me. A very large young man leapt out at me [for a moment I thought I was going to be mugged] and shouted, “I know you! You used to teach me French!” and then I found myself clasped in a bear hug. “What are you doing these days?” I asked, when I got my breath back. “Oh, I’m gonna be a DJ”, he declared confidently. “Oh, that’s good”, said I. “Where? – Locally?” “Yeh, up London” replied the young man. [I remind you that I was responsible only for his French, not his geography!] Then there was the “tough guy” student whom I gently persuaded that it would not be in his best interest to “duff up” a colleague of mine to whom he had taken a dislike, to put it mildly. Years later, I encountered him working as a security guard in a Cardiff supermarket. Every Saturday morning he would greet me there loudly with a “Hello, Miss. Want anyone done over this week?”

Today here in Sicily I was walking along with Simi when a young woman stopped her car, got out and asked me in Italian if I was “Signora Pat”. It turned out that she had participated in the first Cardiff-Modica school exchange that we did back in 1993. She remembered the experience well and we had a good chat. Now she is studying English part-time at the University for work purposes and may need some help. So not only was I reminded of that first, fateful visit; I think I have got me another student!

13 comments:

Chris at 'Chrissie's Kitchen' said...

Dear WCLC, what lovely pictures you have painted. I often think that the past, when melded and welded onto our present day experiences whenever possible, are or could be seen to be, the bricks of our existance. (Sounds like woolly-minded drivel hmm.)
Lizzie XX

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

That is truly an amazing story. You are inspirational. Hope you have got yourself another student!!!

jmb said...

Lovely story WCLC. Some turn out well. Others, well, turn out. It must be fun to see them but imagining seeing one in Modica. And hopefully a continuing student. Brava, complimenti!
jmb

Anonymous said...

That is amazing. The years go by and they still remember the teacher that left an impression on them. I did place some votes today. Good luck.

Anonymous said...

I always hope no one ever recognises me. **shudders**

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Thanks, Lizzie. Not drivel at all and I know exactly what you mean. Thanks, Anne. I hope so, too! Like your comment about "others turn out", jmb. Grazie. Hi, Steve. I was pretty amazed myself. Thank you for the votes! Know the feeling, Mutley!

elleeseymour said...

How fabulous to be so welll known. I took an elderly lady out on Sunday to visit some gardens and everbody recognised her because she is a well known childen's writer, Jean Adamson, of Topsy and Tim fame, and even now everyone still recognises her.

Anonymous said...

Yes, pupils remember us and it is fairly easy to recognise us years later. Sometimes, a former pupil will speak to me and I am stumped for the name - other times, I recall names and anecdotes attached to pupils but not the faces. Well done to you for making a difference Signora Pat.

Lee said...

Those kinds of meetings and greetings are wonderful, Welsh. They give us a warm glow inside and a feeling we have achieved a lot. :)

Liz Hinds said...

That's a fantastic story, Welshcakes. How wonderful to know that your life has had an effect - for the good. I love the security guard story!

marymaryquitecontrary said...

I think you should be very proud that your students still think of you so fondly.

Ruthie said...

What a powerful feeling to know that you've touched the lives of so many young people over the years.

It's a noble calling, Welshcakes.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, Ellee. I remember you posting about her. I used to love those books. Ciao, signora Shirl. Yes, quite often I know the face but cannot put a name to it. I'm always amazed when students remember me. Hi, Lee. Yes, it gives you a glow for the day! Liz, I should think your own life is pretty effective, too, with your wonderful prison work and so on. Poor security guard - I think I disappointed him as he was rather short of people to "do over"! Thanks, marymary. I'm sure not all of them did- there were many who thought French was a personal invention of mine to make their lives difficult! Thanks, Ruthie: it should be, but sadly many bteachers in the UK cannot wait to get out of the profession now. I hope I made a difference in some cases but I'm not sure I did at the end.

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