My Latin course at UCLA is taught by two very idiosyncratic teaching assistants with their own distinct senses of humor. It is amazing how a little bit of humor makes learning so much easier. Even if it’s cheesy. I find Alex particularly funny because he makes jokes at such unexpected moments and in such a wry way. The other day, as he was handing back assignments, one student noticed that Alex had a very large bug on the back of his pants. Another student exclaimed, “Woah! That’s a cockroach on your butt!” That student then swiped the large cockroach off Alex’s pants with a piece of paper and stomped it. After a moment of looking a bit stunned, Alex commented nonchalantly, “People had been telling me that I had a bug up my ass, but I didn’t think it was literal.”
Just today, we were discussing “auguries” as a translation and students were confused about its meaning (the readings of the flights of birds as a type of divination). Alex shared, “Well, it really is a word you should add to your vocabulary. It’s useful. When you’re deciding whether to go to North Campus or the Union, look up at the birds. If you want to know whether you should go for the salad bar or a burger and fries . . .” A student interjected, “I usually just follow the signs of my stomach.” Alex (calmly): “Well, this is another approach you can consider.”
The first story is irrelevant to the course, the second is connected. Both help boost class morale, which helps learning immensely.
