And next...

Exams in early June. Assuming the actual papers can get here, and I'm sceptical. Documents seem to languish in bonded warehouses for months at a stretch en route here.

But, assuming that they do, we have a few weeks thereafter to without students to catch our breath, and learn the lessons of the last three months or so, and put together a programme for the next batch of students.

It's all very complicated, with a vast range of variables. Those students who pass at C1 level, are out of our hair as such, and become, really, our colleagues here, running their own classes in due course. Those who fail, may or may not be given another bite of the cherry. The B1 and B2 students who pass will move a rung up the ladder. Those who don't, well, again we don't know. There's much talk of sackings.

Here again we come against a serious possible culture clash, which Fraggle Rock doesn't seem to fully appreciate.

It's true that, in this country, if a decision is made to sack you, that's it, you're sacked, and there's no disciplinary procedure - you're down the road, goodbye. For ever. And that includes your family, friends, and your family members' friends... I exaggerate, but you get the picture.

Now, there are some students here, Old Gomez for example, who are crying out for such aggressive treatment. I'd happily kick his arse out of the gate personally.

But. And it's a big but. These blokes didn't get where they are (or rather, where they were before this college got underway) on merit. Obviously. So they MUST have powerful connexions of some description. There are wheels within wheels of which I and people like DoS and LM are dimly aware. People like HD and PTI have no understanding of such overwhelming cultural differences.

It's going to be blood and snots.