Teaching ESL is far from boring. When one brings together a variety of cultures, there’s always something new to learn, and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to learn and grow as a person in addition to sharing my own knowledge. That being said, I’m also incredibly grateful to have lots of funny stories to share. Sulaman is today’s inspiration.

Sulaman was a Saudi Arabian student that I recently taught. He’s in his early forties, and he is a very well-educated man. He’s a police officer with a Master’s degree from his country. He wants to earn his Ph.D at an American University, he must learn English. He’s at a beginner level, and he struggles with speaking and listening a bit, though I can tell that he tries very hard. I am a bit of a softie, and what it comes down to is that I’m pretty much willing to do anything to help my students succeed.

One day I announced to the class that they would complete speaking evaluations that week. Sulaman, not having the best grades, was concerned. He asked me to spend some time with him one-on-one to practice speaking. Being sympathetic to his needs, I agreed to take some time after school let out to help him. When school let out, he met me in the classroom, and we sat down and practiced. I even wrote out the grammar for him to practice at home. When we finished, he excitedly pulled out his smart phone to show me a photo of his youngest child, and baby of just over a year. After I showed the proper admiration for his offspring, I expected the matter to be over. Instead, it got strange.

“Teacher… will you come my house for dinner? I introduce to you my children. I five children have.”

“Five children?!”

“Yes, I want two or three more wives and more children. Children are good. You come for dinner? I want very much.”

Thank goodness for me that it’s against our policy to visit students at their houses. I was also grateful that the center was about to close for the day, so I pointed at the clock and said we needed to go. I had to turn down poor Sulaman’s offer. With the language barrier, it’s entirely possible that he was only making a friendly gesture to one who went out of her way to help him. On the other hand, it really sounded like he hoped to make me a second wife. I am willing to help my students in any way I can, but I’ve got to draw the line somewhere.