Shocked - many young people can’t read an analogue clock

This week's column in The Kerryman newspaper.

Michael Commane

The week after the mid-term break will be the first anniversary of my return to teaching. They were short a German teacher in a west Dublin ETB school, formerly called the VEC. It meant a 90-minute adventure every morning with bicycle tram and train. It was worth it. 

Since August I’m teaching in an Educate Together school. It’s a 10-minute cycle, which makes a big difference.

It’s great to be back in the classroom, mixing with staff and students. I’m in my element; a lovely atmosphere, children are excellent and the staffroom is a nice place to be.

Every day is a learning day. Last year in the previous school I was teaching a third year class how to read the time in German, to my horror I discovered no one in the class knew how to read an analogue clock in English. 

Last week in my new school I was back teaching the time in German, this time, only one person in the third year class could read an analogue clock. I was flabbergasted. And something else; I discovered in both schools, with the exception of one student, they did not know the meaning of the word ‘seldom’. 

We sure do live in strange times. But isn’t it an example how a living language is constantly evolving.

I first began teaching in 1979; the world has greatly changed since then. And sure too has the classroom. In both schools every student and teacher has a device/computer; I’m still finding my way with the machine and regularly have to ask the students for help. 

Last week I found an AI programme called Chalkie and am discovering it’s a brilliant tool in teaching any subject, including German.

I’m fortunate to have a trainee teaching with me in some of my classes and she is so in touch with the modern means of teaching. We have come a long way in 47 years.

It’s easy to be negative about the world right now but I’m greatly impressed with the young people I am teaching. They are the salt of the earth.

Teaching is a great job.of course it has its moments, what job doesn’t. There’ll always be the nuisance maker. But I have to confess, now back in the classroom, I have been more than impressed with the behaviour of those I teach. 

On one occasion in may last school a student and I had words. The next day I met him and said I was annoyed with him and was upset about it that evening when I went home. He replied: ‘so was I sir’.

In my current school and in all Educate Together schools it’s custom and practice that students call teachers by their first names. At first, I was nervous about it. In the nine weeks I have been teaching in the school I’ve realised it’s a great idea; I like to be called the name my parents gave me. 

I’m sure I’ve mentioned it here before, how retired broadcaster, Vincent Browne once wisely said that when we give people titles, we give them power over us. I liked that idea when he said it, and still do today. Father or Sir, have never sat lightly with me.