The year was 1978. I was in First Standard (equivalent to 1st grade in the US). Our teacher gave us a spelling test one day. Spelling tests are done differently in Guyana - we weren't given a set of words to go home and study. These tests were sprung upon the students at any given time. It was the student's responsibility to learn to spell words on their own 😳 What?!
One of the words on the spelling test was, 'shrimp'. Guyanese people pronounce this word as, 'strimps'. So, when the teacher said, "the next word is, strimps," On my test paper, I wrote what I heard.
It may have been the only word I spelled "incorrectly" on the test. Although, I have a vague recollection of misspelling the word, 'Georgetown' as well. When it is spoken with a Guyanese accent, it sounds something like this: George-tung.
The word Shrimp stands out for me though. It stands out because when you get words wrong on a spelling test, sometimes you're punished. You are punished, I suppose, with the idea that you will learn how to spell the word(s) correctly, and you will remember it. I got a lash in my left hand for the misspelled word.
Looking back on it now, I am so damn mad that that was a method of teaching - fear-based learning. It certainly was a wake up call for me, though. I vowed never to to get licks (punished) for any more misspelled words. I read everything and, I spelled everything. I copied words out of books so that I can better remember how to spell them. I don't recall getting any other words wrong on a spelling test after that.
As I wrap up this short memory, I can't help but question the method of such teaching. Did I really benefit from corporal punishment? Dammit! 😱
