On Wednesday 24th February I was invited by Mrs Anna Kenar – Szul to take two lessons with her third grade students to stand in for her whilst she was required at school. Using my own maximum 40 minute Zoom connection I warned the students at the outset of this fact and that he could get cut off without knowing it, in fact this is exactly what happened in the middle of a conversation at the end of the second lesson.

The first discussion centred on Coronavirus and the problems both health and ethical that arise from the virus. With my first hand view of the Coronavirus infection there was a lively debate led by Krystian as to the rights and wrongs of government policies surrounding the virus and the way people react to them. Including of course individual ways each student has dealt with the restrictions, their likes and dislikes of online schooling with the general feeling that they cannot wait to get back into the classroom and to be amongst their friends and fellow students again.

Somehow the discussion moved on to pets helped by my display of photographs of my two dogs – Bella and Zar. The discussion ranged from dogs and cats to canaries helped by Max and his sense of humour, however, we all felt sorry for those present whose parents didn’t allow them to have a pet.

At the end of the first lesson the students were set a problem to be discussed in the second lesson – “What was the stupidest thing you ever did?”

This caused another lively debate some serious and some not so! Both Julia and Ola were very concentrated and very serious whilst others saw the funny side of life and the antics they have got up to in the past. In amongst this there was a very interesting discussion that took place surrounding ungraciousness and impoliteness, it started in the home and the interaction between parents and between siblings, it moved on to particularly those in authoritative positions which seems to be becoming a trait between so called educated people.

 Everyone was still enjoying the discussion when the connection was cut. What a way to end an 80 – minute fun!

František Geisler

(Native Speaker and the friend of the ZSP LO Rymanów)