Cannot understand a word the professor is saying!

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

English is not the primary language for one of my professors. His nationality is irrelevant to the problem, so is the name of the class, although this class IS a requirement.

The problems is, it's been a couple of weeks, and i STILL can't understand a word he is saying because his accent is so thick. I'd hate to have to approach him and say "i can't understand a word you say," yet i really don't know what to do. One phrase that i CAN understand is "Everybody with me?" Well, not really, i'm not.

Arg.

(One of my other classmates said he is hard to understand as well.)

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

Go to the dep't head of his subject? I'm sorry, Marie, that does not sound like fun! :o

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This happened to me last semster. It is just not right. I mean, what are the hiring people thinking? It is a barrier to learning, like a foggy haze between you and the instructor.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Going to the dept. head sounds like the only solution, because i can't really go to the professor. PRobably wouldn't understand him in a one on one conversation.

However, i'd also feel like i was going over his head.

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I had the same problem. I finally taped the class. And played the tape back in slow speed. Still not fun, but better than dropping the class.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Maybe i'll try that first, before i go to the dept. head.

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.

I had the same problem when I took one of my classes. The professor was so hard to understand that many people have droped the class for that reason. I did not, because after a while I think I got used to the accent. And we asked him for handouts, so we can follow the class easier. But if you think that you will not do very good in the class for that reason you should do something about it now before the last drop date. You have to have a good grade in those required classes for nursing. I would not wait too long.

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I think you should at least try to speak to him before going to his supervisor.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

Maybe you could ask in class, "Could you please write that out on the board?"

If a few (or more) people in the class started doing this, it might alert him to the problem without the embarassment of being told directly that his English is not understandable. I once had a calculus professor who I could not understand at all, but he wrote everything on the board.

On the other hand, here's another story for you ... I also had an elective class in Greek mythology. For those of you familiar with the story of Jason & the Argonauts ... my instructor's heavy accent made "Golden Fleece" sound like "Golden Fleas." It got funnier every time he said it. Maybe ya had to be there ... but it still makes me giggle. :)

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I had to drop an Algebra class before because of this reason. I pray I don't have to deal with this in nursing school.

I guess if we put ourselves in other in the shoes of other nationalities, we can begin to understand how they feel.

I would definitely have him repeat himself if you can't understand something. Are you recording the lectures? Maybe you could rewind-play, rewind-play over and over until you understand what he is saying. I know that is time consuming, but I'm not sure that anything could be done.

Obviously this person was hired, and I doubt he will be fired with only one person complaining. However, if you and others are having a problem, and this person has enough complaints, maybe your school will get someone in there that speaks a cleaner english.

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. Hopefully, you will find a way to get this resolved, or at least be able to understand your instructor better.

Good luck. :icon_hug:

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Specializes in Rural Health.

I had a class just like that - I ended up dropping it. The school was fully aware of the lanuage issues with this teacher and haven't (and won't) do anything about it. I'll take the class over the summer.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do!!!

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I had a class just like that - I ended up dropping it. The school was fully aware of the lanuage issues with this teacher and haven't (and won't) do anything about it. I'll take the class over the summer.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do!!!

I am not defending university policies but they generally hire professors and grant them tenure based on their skills as a researcher. Their ability to teach is secondary.

Grannynurse :balloons:

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