"You're a mean one . . . "

Why did Max stay with the Grinch? It's a mystery for the ages.

Yesterday was the last day of classes for the term (can I get a hallelujah?). Students have 4 weeks off from classes and have slowly been trickling away, taking flights back home to see their families, rest, and probably forget most of the English they've learned this semester. Sigh.

I knew that my last class - a listening and speaking class for high beginning students - was going to be VERY sparsely attended and that those who did come weren't going to be too excited to conquer another chapter in their textbooks, no matter how interesting I made the material on "Verbs for Daily Living." So I thought it through and decided that an educational, instructional movie was what was needed. The good thing about ESL? It's all educational and instructional. :) (Of course you have to prepare good materials, yadda yadda yadda . . . I'm just saying that authentic language is everywhere.)

In the spirit of the season, we watched a classic. No, not "A Christmas Story" - too advanced for these students, and I really don't think they would have understood the humor of "a major award." Instead, we watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." The original cartoon version, of course, none of this Jim Carrey nonsense. We went over some vocabulary first, and I presented the characters and a basic plot outline. We made predictions and summarized and paraphrased - all the necessary teacher stuff that makes students hate books and movies shown in class. But, despite me trying to take all of the joy out of it, my class loved it.

They laughed when the Grinch put antlers on Max and he tipped forward. They ooh-ed and aah-ed over the beautiful decorations in Who-ville. I gave them the lyrics to the songs beforehand, and they spontaneously began seeing "Fahoo foray, dahoo doray, welcome Christmas come this way," with all of the Whos in Who-ville every time it came up. Seriously. Three grown men from different countries, un-ironically singing along with a cartoon. Reason #23871 I love my job.

I've seen the Grinch so many times I could quote whole stanzas, but seeing it with people who had never seen it before and didn't know the story was so fun. It helped me see things I had forgotten (or never realized). For example, the Whos absolutely love Christmas, right? They sing odes to it, for Pete's sake. But even the Whos don't decorate until Christmas Eve. No crazy three month run-up to Christmas for them. Also, I realized how vile the Grinch himself actually is. He's not some cartoon villain - he steals food! He lies to toddlers! He abuses animals! I really wouldn't touch him with a 39 and a half foot pole.

Watch a Christmas classic with someone who hasn't seen it before this holiday season. It's a guaranteed good time. I have some students I can lend you, if you need someone. :)

Have a great day!