Hi Teachers! I need your advice!
I have a student (kid). We are discussing English words to widen his vocabulary. Now, my problem is that he wants to learn English "bad words". Technically, there is nothing wrong with that because its really an English word (if you know what I mean), but he is only a kid. As a teacher, how are we going to approach this kind of situation?
9 answers from our tutors
Best answer
Hi! Well, I would say, acknowledge their curiosity as something positive. Explain to them what is formal, informal, appropriate and inappropriate (explain contexts) and redirect that interest towards more suitable and appropriate vocabulary (maybe slangs). Definitely involve their parents in the conversation. And finally, set boundaries. We have to be open to create rapport, but we also have our limits on what we feel comfortable doing in lessons. Remember, they are not necessarily "bad words" so don't make it as something negative but rather as a matter of context and age-appropriateness. I hope this helps.
I would tell them it's ok to know these words but you have to promise me not to use it in your everyday conversations.( Set boundaries) one thing that you can do is to find good replacement words for those bad words and tell them if they'd like to use bad words they can use the replacement words so that nobody knows and they are the only one in the world who knows about it🩷
I will want to learn why? Because while i believe there is nothing wrong with that, sooner or later they will stumble on those words, I would not encourage them to use them in daily life or practically under any circumstance if possible
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Dangerous territory. If they are under 18, and their parent is not present, I would say don't do it! Parents can be difficult, so don't be the person who teaches their kids to curse and swear. What you could do is offer alternative ways to express their feelings - increase their vocabulary be getting them to express frustration, or annoyance, anger or hurt. I don't want to talk. You're being annoying. Could you stop doing that. Why is this so difficult...
Be direct about the words being unpleasant in normal conversations. It is an opportunity for you to teach him what's right and what's wrong at the same time.
It's crucial to set appropriate boundaries and emphasize the importance of using respectful language. Explain that while those words may exist, they are not suitable for everyday conversation, especially for a young learner. Redirect his focus to positive, age-appropriate vocabulary that will serve him well in various contexts. Encourage curiosity about language without endorsing inappropriate words. It's also essential to communicate openly with parents about situation.
definitely no :) we're here to be a good role-model too, not just help with english vocab. It's up to their parents if they're going to forbid or find a different way when it comes to bad words. if it's a really small kid, act naive and do the cute no no, nopee, nopeey ^^
Teach him slangs which are acceptable in society not bad words .
at first kids should learn some of special words( not bad word and swear) from family by ages 11 or 12. But for you, I learn my student some words just as a bad word.
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