Critical Incident

Read the following critical incident and choose the best possible answer. Explain why you choose it after discussing it with your neighboring friends.

Critical Incident #5

Miss Williams was a newly arrived assistant English teacher (AET). She was looking forward to meeting her senior high school students. On the first day of class, she was introduced to her students by her Japanese colleague. The Japanese teacher asked her to say something about herself, so Miss Williams started to speak. She talked to them enthusiastically and clearly, telling them that she was happy to be there and looked forward to studying together. She smiled and tried to maintain eye contact with the students.
The students sat in their seats attentively listening to Miss. Williams. However, as she talked on she began to feel very uneasy. She felt that the students were not happy to have her as their teacher. What do you think Miss. Williams got such a negative impression from the students?
 

1. Miss Williams was expecting the students to come up and shake hands to greet her. So, when the students did not do this she thought they were not welcoming her. Please select again.
2. Miss Williams was not used to speaking in front of students, so she was nervous.
3. Miss Williams misinterpreted the blank expressionless faces of the students and their reluctance to maintain eye contact as a sign of their dissatisfaction.
4. Miss Williams was expecting the students to stand up and bow to greet her. When the students did not do this, she thought they did not welcome her.

Write the chosen number and the reason(s) here.

Name:


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