Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Entertaining Errors Compilation Part Three

My students often say really funny things.  Sometimes it's on purpose and sometimes it's by accident, but it always brightens my day.  I've posted these on Facebook as they've happened, though, of course, not everyone who reads this blog is a friend of mine on Facebook.  I don't post these to get a laugh at the expense of my students, but rather to record some of the amusing quirks of teaching English as a second language, as well as the creativity and sense of humor my students often display.  Enjoy!


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Student: Hey, you see those girls over there?  The one in the orange shirt looks like my extra girlfriend!
Me: Sorry, you added a sound.  It should be EX-girlfriend.

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Me: So, where are pearls cultured?
Student: Pearls are cultured in the Kinky Peninsula.
Me: Sorry, you're a little off – it's the Kii Peninsula.

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Student: I learned a new word!  Your tie is favor…fav…fabo…
(Student checks her magazine again, then grins triumphantly.)
Student:  Fabulous!  Your tie is fabulous!
Me: Well, thank you!

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Student: One of my patients was very shocked today because he got a sup…super…suppose…
(Student checks his electronic dictionary.)
Student (loudly): Suppository!
Me: Really, a suppository?
Foreign Coworker (overhearing this): Suppository?  What?

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Student: For our next outing, we're going to Russia…oh, sorry, sorry!  We're going to Glacier Point.
Me: Yeah, good!

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Student A: Do you want some more water?
Student B: No thanks, I'm done here.  I'm going to go shit in the sauna.  Are you coming?
Me: Let's try that again with more 'see.'  SIT.

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Student: Don't worry, you can take care of the bill.
Me: Actually, here you're offering to help me.
Student: Oh, right!  I'll take care of the bill.
Me: Much better!

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Student: I'm so jealous of you!  I'm a horrible cock!
Me: Er, it's COOK, actually.

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High school girl: I'm interested in my math teacher.  He makes everything easy to understand.
Me: Okay, good, but just so you know, 'interested in someone' usually means romantic interest.
(Cue look of dismay and vehement denials)

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Me: Welcome to my pet shop!  Which animal would you like to see?
Student: Can I see the crocodile eating the chicken?

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Student: I eat instant ramen almost every night.  To tell you the truth, I'm pretty tired of you.
Me: Good, but it should be 'it.'
Student: Hm?
Me: I'm pretty tired of IT, not 'you.'
(Student realizes what she said and bursts out laughing.)

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Me:  How about you?  Did you go anywhere?
Student: No, I'm bland, so I stayed in Boston.
Me: Sorry, it's 'broke,' not 'bland.'  But good overall!

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Student: I invited my friend Ryan to the party.
Me: Really?  Where is he?
Student: He's the guy coming on the door.
Me: Er, it should be 'in,' not 'on.'  Coming IN the door.

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Student: I have worn okonomiyaki.
Me: Actually, 'worn' was the last card.  This one is 'I have TRIED okonomiyaki.'

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Me: So, what do you think about city life?
Student: Shitty life…hm…
Me: Sorry, CITY life.

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Student: I'm going to turn in my timeshits.
Me: Little more 'e' – timeSHEETS.

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Student: I visit my mother twice a week.  I like watering the flowers instead of her.
Me: Ah, I see.  Just so you know, that sounds like you like watering the flowers more than watering your mother.  I might say, 'I like watering the flowers FOR my mother.'
Student: Oh my goodness!  How did you understand my bad English?!
Me: Well, that's my job!

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Student: I have a sister who is an alien pilot.
Me: Er, it's 'airline pilot.'  I didn't know you were an alien!

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Student A: For my last vacation, my family and I went to Aquamarine Fukushima. (An aquarium in Onahama)
Student B: Do you have a season pass?
Student A: No, but if my kids grow up, I'll probably get one.
Me: Um, I'd say 'WHEN my kids grow up.'  'If' sounds like you don't expect them to get any older.

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Student: Every summer, I go back to my hometown for my mother's funeral service.
Me: Actually, I might say a memorial service, or to visit my mother's grave.  'Funeral service' sounds like she gets back up every year and you have to bury her again.

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Student A: I called you last night, but you didn't answer.
Student B: Oh, sorry!  I was eating my son.
Me: I think you mean 'eating WITH my son.'
(Student B looks horrified as she realizes what she said, then bursts out laughing.)

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Student A: I don't think I can do that.  Tomorrow, I'm going to be in Osaka today.
Student B: Tomorrow today?!
Student A: Sorry, sorry – for two days!

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Student: Chiba is known for its penis.
Me: Sorry, peanuts.
Student: Oh right, peanuts!  Also, it's known for its bitches.
Me: Beaches.

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Me: Say, what's that in your hair?
Student: It's a Beretta!
Me: Oh, a barrette!  We'll, it's very cute!

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Me: 911 emergency.
Student: Hello, I'd like to report an emergency!
Me: What's the problem, sir?
Student: There's a man in a bad mood.
Me: Er...actually, he's having a heart attack.

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And that's the end of my Entertaining Errors series in Japan!  To see the previous posts, go to:

Entertaining Errors Compilation Part One
Entertaining Errors Compilation Part Two

It was wonderful teaching all of my students in Japan!  I miss Iwaki, but I'm also very happy to be home.  I hope to have many more funny mistakes from Korea soon!

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