Going to a parent-teacher interview | Meet the Changs | Ep 7

Lily attends parent-teacher interviews for Connie at her school and is surprised by what the teachers say. Follow the Chang family through common situations in Australia and improve your English language skills.

Learning notes

For students:  (pdf - 212kb)

For teachers: (pdf - 103 kb)


Transcript

Melanie:
Melanie here, from the Department of Oz-Speak. Going to a parent teacher interview.
Tick!

Teacher 1:
Good afternoon Mrs Chang. Please, take a seat.

Lily:
I'm so sorry about Connie, I know her attention is very bad. Last year, she was the lowest in the class because she talks too much. But I am doing my best at home to fix it.

Teacher 1:
It must be working! She's an exemplary student.

Lily:
Sorry - are you sure you're not talking about Nicholas?

Teacher 1:
No, I'm talking about Connie! She's a very bright girl, she has exceeded all learning expectations.

Lily:
Connie? What has she exceeded?

Teacher 1:
Her reading and spelling level is well above the class average.

Lily:
Last year she was no good.

Teacher 1:
There is room for improvement, but she's made excellent progress this term.

Lily:
Well... How can I help her improve? Does she need a tutor?

Teacher 1:
No, if Connie reads books with you at home, she will improve naturally.

Connie:
I'm sorry, I'm not reading you bedtime stories, mum.

Teacher 1:
Haha, well maybe a news article or something, over breakfast?

Lily:
Ah yes...my English is not good. I cannot help with mistakes.

Teacher 1:
Doesn’t matter. Just the process of reading is beneficial to a child's learning. You can read English or Chinese books together for the same effect.

Teacher 1:
Look, here’s my email. You can contact me at any time to talk about Connie's academic progress.

Melanie:
Academic progress: the development of a student's ability over the school year.

Lily and Connie are about to enter the next classroom.

Connie:
I need to go to the toilet right now. I'll meet you out here, after this one.

Lily:
Ok, meet you here.

Lily enters a new room and greets the teacher.

Lily:
Hello, nice to meet you. Last year math was Connie's best subject!

Strict teacher:
Actually, I'm very concerned about Connie, Mrs Chang.

Lily:
Is it about multiplying fractions? She will do better next time. 86% is not acceptable, I know -

Strict teacher:
No, she multiplies fractions well. But Connie hasn't been handing in homework for three weeks.

Lily:
Are you sure? All of her other teachers said -

Strict teacher:
I can’t speak for other subjects. I can only speak to her math subject, Mrs Chang. She has slacked off immensely, and her performance in class is only substandard.

Connie is making avocado toast.

Connie:
I'm here to test the newest trend. Does grated egg on toast actually taste good?! We'll find out in a minute…

Lily:
Look at you!
This is what happens when you don't do your homework! You make breakfast for dinner! Nothing adds up anymore.
I was so embarrassed! Your best subject, now you’re sub-standard??

Connie:
I have better subjects now.

Lily:
They have to all be your best subject!

Connie:
Doesn't that defeat the purpose of the 'best' subject -

Lily:
I don't care!

Connie:
I don't like her. She picks on me.

Lily:
I pick on you, will you not come home now as well?! Go to your room.

The next day, Lily is in the kitchen.

Lily:
This is mine today.
Hello? I want to talk to someone about changing my daughter's class. Who can I talk to? Principal? Oh, coordinator. Okay. Yes, I would like to set up a meeting please.

Melanie:
At a parent teacher interview, you'll hear phrases like academic level, behaviour in class, or homework delivery.
Earlier you may have picked up on learning expectations. This is what students are expected to know at different stages of learning.
I was always an exemplary student, and look at me now, a TV presenter.
Wouldn't you just love your kid to turn out like me?

END





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Credits
Produced by SBS with assistance by

Video production company: Studio Gilay

Director: James Hackett

Educational consultant: Natalie Oostergo - International Education Services


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4 min read
Published 7 June 2022 11:22am
Updated 4 August 2022 9:51pm


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