dhugal tp 9

A couple of nights ago I met up with Abdullah at Starbucks for a tutoring session. I wanted to go over some modals, mainly ‘have to’. I made it clear that ‘have to’ implies necessity or obligation, as well as its meaning as a verb, which is to be in possession of. The present tense of this modal was not a problem. What he didn’t know was that this structure may also indicate a future obligation, if you indicate a time in the future. For example: Next week I have to clean the house. We practiced this by asking each other questions that made us use the modal structure.

            I had intended to go into the past tense, when Abdullah stopped me and asked if we could just talk. He told me he had stayed up all night talking with friends who were going back to the Middle East. He did seem very weary, and I know how hard it is to think when you’re exhausted. So we put down the grammar and just chatted. At this point at the end of the course, I reflected on how far Abdullah has come in his conversation skills. He is much clearer and determined in his speech, and is much more confident. I told him this and he agreed with me. He told me how he has started giving advice to Foundation students, urging them to immerse themselves as much as possible. It is good to see him taking such a positive role towards lesser skilled students.

            This started out as a tutoring session and ended as a fulfilling conversation.