Would you be cross?
By GreenMoo
@GreenMoo (11834)
April 14, 2013 9:32am CST
For the last few weeks I'e been emailing back and forth with a teacher who I was hoping would run a course I'm organising over the summer. We had discussed many things, including the fact that I wanted the course taught in English. Although it was not yet a final booking, we had covered dates and fees and I was in the latter stages of setting it up.
Yesterday I sent her an email confirming all the salient points, to which she responded with an email saying that she was sorry but didn't feel confident to teach in English. Why, oh why couldn't she have said so weeks ago when we first discussed it?
She's given me the name of another teacher who could do those dates instead, but he's more expensive and I really am rather cross at having to start this whole negotiation again at this really late stage. I should be taking bookings by now, not beginning a talk with a teacher I've never met.
I'm really quite cross, and very disappointed as this lady came recommended.
Would you be cross too?
2 people like this
10 responses
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
14 Apr 13
Too damn true I would be livid and fuming! Have you asked her why she couldn't have been honest from the start, and that she has caused you a lot of inconvenience and trouble by messing her around in this way? Common sense would dictate if someone asked you to do something that you weren't confident or capable of doing you'd tell them from the start instead of letting them believe you were going to do it. Plus there's the time you've taken as well. I hope you also told the person who recommended this lady to you what she has done! Some recommendation 
@GreenMoo (11834)
•
14 Apr 13
I'm holding my fire at the moment. If the second teacher doesn't work out I still might need to use her, and arrange to have translation help available or something. It's sent my plans into tailspin to be honest, and I'm wondering about quitting with this particular course completely this year.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
14 Apr 13
Very! Like you said, she could have said so when you first brought it up. Even if she needed to think on it a bit, she could have told you much sooner than now. I definitely would not be recommending her to anyone. That sounds totally unprofessional.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45484)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
14 Apr 13
Yes, of course I would be cross. As you said, it puts you behind schedule, not to mention having to do the work twice.
@BarBaraPrz (45484)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
15 Apr 13
So, would the "students" get some sort of accreditation after taking this course?
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
15 Apr 13
That is very strange that she didn't say something to begin with about not feeling confident in English. Maybe she thought she could translate the class into English and rehearse it, then when she tried, she couldn't do it or maybe she practiced on someone and it didn't work. Or did she not end up trying to translate it because she was busy doing something else? Or did another opportunity in her native language come up?
It's hard to know. But it seems like this person should have said something before now.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
15 Apr 13
I agree, it does seem very odd.
But there is a translation feature on most computers now. I have one on mine. I've used it a couple of times. Every once in a while the translation comes out a little weird but I know what they mean.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Apr 13
Oh yes, the "why didn't you bring this up weeks ago" thing always makes me cross...
@Dominique25 (9464)
• United States
14 Apr 13
Yes I would be very upset as well. It so sad that she did not say that a lot earlier. It would have saved you a lot of time and energy. I hope that you are able to find someone that is in your price range.
@chicksdigscars (5483)
•
16 Apr 13
Yes I would be cross!
Sometimes I cannot understand the human race. Some people are so behind the door to say things, and that's fair enough but they don't realise that their reluctance to tell you something actually causes you more pressure and annoyance than if they had of told you in the first place!! I completely understand why you are annoyed. I'm currently writing a post that will explain why I completely understand!
@roshigo58 (4859)
• Pune, India
14 Apr 13
Hi,
Your teacher's behavior is very strange and annoying. She should have been told you that she is not confident in teaching English. You should not waste time in waiting for another teacher. You should try to find from another source.
