Private school teacher spills the truth about what phrases on report cards REALLY mean – and why being a ‘good listener’ is a BAD thing
- Teacher Dr Selina Samuels revealed what phrases in report cards really mean
- Seemingly positive phrases like ‘good listener’ can have a coded meaning
- Independent can mean they don’t share well, while social can mean distracting
An early learning expert has revealed what teachers really mean when writing common phrases on a report card – from ‘he knows his own mind’ meaning ‘stubborn and uncooperative’ to ‘he has a lot of potential’ meaning ‘lazy’.
Dr Selina Samuels, the Chief Learning Officer for Cluey Learning explained in a blog post that many terms used by teachers are sanitised and in fact have a much deeper meaning.
The teacher, who spent several years working at a private school in Sydney, revealed that even seemingly positive phrases like ‘good listener’ can have a coded meaning – indicating your child doesn’t contribute in class.
Elsewhere, ‘independent’ can mean they don’t share well, while ‘social’ can indicate they distract others while terms like ‘sophisticated understanding’ and ‘confident application’ are strong signals that your child is working at an impressive level.
Dr Selina Samuels, the Chief Learning Officer for Cluey Learning explained in a blog post that many terms used by teachers are sanitised and in fact have a much deeper meaning (stock image)
‘Has a lot of potential’
If a teacher says your child ‘has a lot of potential’ this indicates they are frustrated they are bright but lazy, Dr Samuels says.
‘Very social’ or ‘enthusiastic’
‘Very social’, ‘bubbly’ and ‘engage enthusiastically in discussion’ are all codes for ‘chatty’ and ‘talks a lot,’ Dr Samuels says.
This may mean they get distracted by those around them – or are doing the distracting themselves. This could be helped by moving their seating plan.
‘Independent’
Students who are ‘independent’ are probably not good sharers, Dr Samuels says.
‘Good listener’
If a teacher write your child is a a ‘good listeners’ it likely he or she is quiet, doesn’t ask questions or contribute in class.
‘Knows his own mind’
This could mean your little one is ‘stubborn and uncooperative’
‘Erratic’ or ‘inconsistent’
If a teacher says your child’s application is ‘erratic’ or ‘inconsistent’ it probably means they are playing to their strengths and ignoring anything that isn’t already easy.
I can also be a veiled request to have a look at the family infrastructure around homework and act more consistently at home.
‘Lacks focus’
If a child ‘lacks focus’, they are applying themselves.
‘Emerging skills’
‘This tells you there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon and they haven’t given up on him just yet,’ Dr Samuels says.
‘Pleasure to teach’
Dr Samuels says that your child’s teachers end a report with, ‘She’s a pleasure to teach’, chances are it’s true. Teachers don’t use that phrase gratuitously.
‘Perfectionist’
‘This is not necessarily a good thing,’ Dr Samuels says.
As it could indicate they’re particular about presentation, or so frightened of getting something wrong, that she resists submitting anything for feedback
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk