I used to teach two Petras in Prague.
Let’s call them… Petra #1 and Petra #2.
Both Petras were shy to speak English.
But both Petras met me once a week for a private lesson.
And soon, both Petras gained new speaking confidence, relaxed and enjoyed our conversations.
Then one day, I found myself in the elevator with both Petras (they worked in the same lawfirm).
I said hello to the Petras and asked them how they were doing.
But neither Petra #1 nor Petra #2 wanted to speak
They suddenly looked very shy.
What happened?!
Click the button below, jump over to the blog, tell me why you think the Petras were suddenly shy, and I’ll finish this story tomorrow.
Then you’ll get your first confidence lesson!
I think, they answered together in same time and in one voice. Best regards
Because of they have never spoken with each other and they didnt meet before….so they had not experience about english speaking level of each other…
I think they were shy because: maybe another student speaks better English
Maybe still shy when outside or near their workplace.
I think they lost confidence because of the changed environment, they were not in the usual room. Maybe somebody else was also in the elevator.
Because they had to speak not in your private class but in a different situation that shocked them and they were not prepared to speak.
I think they are shy to spek, becouse they don’t know how they speak in English
I think, they were suprised that they saw you in the different place than they used to see you.
I think,because they feared that the other student speaks better
Both Petras were suprised, and the environment was different. They obviously did not have enough confidence.
Because they are bad self- confidence.
I suppose there was a handsome guy or their boss in the elevator too and the girls were too shy to speak English in front of him. 🙂
Hello, Mr, Vig, I just have read your blog.. you have promised us you’ll finishthis story tommorow.. I cant’t wite until tomorrow!
ups,, one mistake…
…..finish this…
Look at what I think!
Both Petras had a psychological programme for shy getting as they were children or I don’t know when…
At the moment you met them, they were trying to break down this programme and becoming confident to speak English, but it is necessary more than one single step to create a new programme, a behaviour in fact. When place changing things change.The habit has to be repeated.
I don’t want to guess. WHY?????
Because they were shy each other, not you ☺️
Well, the environment suddenly changed: from comfortable repetition “teacher-student” to challenging & very competitive situation requring ‘performance’…
They were suprised and the situation with you was different for them.
They didn’t expect to meet you.
HI Ryan !
I think that both students are stuck, seeing that they meet in a different location ,with their teacher.
I think that they didn’t practice speaking with other people in community they spoke just with teacher in private lessons, meeting was at once in elevator…so they stuck… this is my opinion
My suggestion is that both Petras are still shy. Their speaking confidence depend on their belief the place is safe and the attitude is friendly.
The elevator is a new situation, not private English lesson, what they know. The elevator is for two Petra’s the work place. That can blocking to speak in English. I think, it’s very important for students to tray to speak and use in several situations the language, for example English. It’s a training for all people.
Maybe they were competitors in their lawfirm and one Petras didn’t want the other Petras know she was studying English
Hi Ryan,
I think that Petras private lessons with Mr.Vig remained their only way to practice. Perhaps they had dropped out continue do English.
Or…maybe in buiding there were too few floors to remember the right words🤔
I think, they don’t know each other. Great day.
I think, they have had their private lessons alone with you and they used not to be shy only in your presence. But in the elevator there were more people than you and one of the Petra’s. So both of them (#1 and #2) were shy again to speak in public.
They may have left practicing English.
Because they have the same mother tongue and unwittingly fear that the other can speak English better.
What happened: I do’nt now! I wait your story!
hello Mr. Vig , i think they haven’t dare to speak .
Both of them are in love with you.
I think that the circumtansis were changed. This was not a study session so they will become too shy again.
they havent speak for some time so they loose their confidence. Strong confidence requires daily practice
#Petras were ashamed to speak in front of each other
The anser depends on whether they stoped or not practicing english.
if stoped it is normal. If not then they did not gained confidence!
They are not shy when they talk to the teacher, but they are shy when talk to each other.
When I meet a person who speaks my native language, it may be difficult to speak other language. But I remember all forgotten words if I meet a stranger.
I think, they had not so practice speaking in English a and so they did not believe themself.
They didn’t answer because they didn’t continue and felt guilty in front of two other
the same name but different persons, I think this is the problem, who want you?
I think they were confident talking to you, but maybe they were shy in front of each other.
Both Petras talking with you when start the lesson because wait the lesson.
When you met with them în elevator is surprised and or blocked.
I think, they were afraid of being judged and ridiculed.
It is a story not about the adults, only about our inner child.
Dear Mr. Vig, I think that many Foreign students try direct translate sentences from their native language to English. Sometimes it´s possible, sometimes its wrong. If you suddenly asks somebody using one typical english expression, can your opponent loose your orientation and keeping silence.
I think sir to petras are limited confident on their sefl, it’s only opinion sir..