Today (December 13, 2005) my students had their second Vocabulary in-term. I went to class F and the chairs were not arranged and were crowded by the door. I asked them to reseat themselves. They did and they started doing the test. Suddenly one student asked for a pen as has pen was out of ink. I asked why she didn’t bring several pens to class. Many finished before the end of the session.

I went to Class A 9:55 a.m. Some students were out running around, others were studying and some were talking in a loud voice. The chairs were not organized. I sat on a chair and started grading. I was peaking at them. They continued to talk, study and make noise and did not pay any attention to time. I decided to wait until they put their books away take their seats and be ready for the test.  They were crowded in the middle of the classroom and the rows on the sides were vacant. I asked them to reseat themselves and handed out the papers. 13 minutes were wasted. 10:50 I started to collect the papers and the students asked for more time. I refused. I went back to my office to change bags and bring my books. When I went up they were talking and the chairs were crowded in front of the board. When they saw me they started to re-arrange the chairs. I called the roll and some of the students who sat for the vocabulary test, left and did not attend the Reading test.

While taking the test I asked if they took a speaking class. They answered "NO" and asked whether they asked the instructor to cancel the speaking class or she cancelled it herself. They said she cancelled it. I asked if they finished the course.

When I went down I asked the speaking instructor if she cancelled the speaking class and whether the students asked to be excused. She said that they requested to be excused and to sit for another one the following week. She added that they were having a test and were panicky and extremely nervous.

Although I gave the students a handout with study tips and study skills and was telling them how to study and  not to cram the night before the test, they were even studying the class session before the test and when I entered, they were still studying. My students only study when they have a test and never study during week days. I never see them with a book in hand and they rarely come to my office to ask about things they had not understood.