This week, in my writing classes, I did a lesson on hyperbole. I
discussed with my students the cultural trend in American English to be
hyperbolic. They didn’t know the word, but when I wrote “hyperbole” on the board,
they were familiar with it (I’m perpetually grateful at the level of my
students English; the average PCV doesn’t teach students at this advanced of an
ability).
I had them think about the way I speak when I teach class. I asked them
how often I use exaggerated adjectives and adverbs. I watched them all grin,
because I do it often. Some of them even started muttering certain words I use
the most, like “awesome” and “magnificent”.
At this point, the teacher in me is pleased. My students are
understanding what I am saying, and are on board for where ever I want to go
next. It is times like these that I love being a teacher.
