#751 To be Fed Up (with transcript)

Full Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1p14A3_eBXZQD9bTOqN8s5NxSrtF9wwNFwX-5lncg0Sg/edit?usp=drivesdk Extract: Hello, everyone, and welcome again to another Teacher Joseph podcast. Today, the phrase we have is “to be fed up”. To be fed up, and it basically means to be bored or to be mentally tired of a particular situation. Now, it can also mean a little bit depressed. So for example, you might hear your friends say:  Oh, I'm really fed up of this job, I've been doing it now for 10 years.  I'm fed up of my boss's behaviour. He always acts inappropriately.  Today, I feel really fed up. It’s wet outside and I don't have very much to do. To be fed up. A synonym of bored  or perhaps even to be depressed. Roberto’s Story of Learning Roberto, a young man, sought my assistance with a persistent issue: retaining English knowledge. He expressed this concern in Spanish, saying truculently, “I can’t seem to retain anything related to English.”  As we conversed, it became evident that Roberto held a high-level managerial position and led a generally content life. In his 30s, married, and with two children, he insisted that he had no time for learning. However, my experience has taught me that when people claim they lack time, it often reflects a lack of willingness rather than genuine time constraints. If it was a priority, he would get it done. Roberto presented a series of arguments and tasks to convince both of us that he truly had no time. He proudly reiterated, “I have no time.” I challenged him, saying,  “You sound conflicted. If time is genuinely scarce, why seek help? I am not in the business of selling time, I teach English.” This unexpected question left Roberto momentarily silent. He then confessed, “I want to learn—I’ve been trying for 10 years.” I responded, “Being here is a positive step, but unless you can carve out time and commit to speaking in English, progress will remain elusive.” Despite my suggestions, each one was swiftly dismissed in Spanish: “Listen to English podcasts during your commute.” Roberto: “No, that’s my time to call my mother.” “How about during your lunch break?” Roberto: “I need to meet my wife; we usually have lunch together since we work in the same building.” “Can you make any changes?” Roberto: “No.” Undeterred, I continued speaking in English, and he understood every word. Yet, he persisted in responding in Spanish. Curiously, I asked, “Why do you want to learn?” His reply: “Because it sounds good, and it could enhance my job prospects—I’ve always loved English.” Roberto’s case highlights the delicate balance between desire and practical constraints. As we explored solutions, I thought perhaps he’d find a way to unlock the time he claims not to have. 🌟_________________________________________________ Now, we spoke the other day about what's the difference between English teaching and English coaching and I think, This essay really helps us to understand the difference because in English teaching, Uh, an English teacher, wouldn't really have known how to handle Roberto.They simply would have said,   “Okay, well you’re here now, here's grammar. Let's practice”.  But an English coach is exploring the problem with Roberto to see how he can make some time to learn. Now, as I was saying the other day, English teaching and  English coaching has up until now been the same thing because teachers, who care, are always going to be exploring with you, your reasons for learning, how you learn…. just to see if you can do it better, to meet your own ambitions and that's a very different thing from just throwing grammar at you. Full transcript from the link above.