In school, you are frequently taught that there is one, and only one,
correct answer to a question or problem. For example, you may be asked to
choose the correct verb tense on a test, or you may be taught “proper”
English greetings. The hidden message is that the teacher’s way is always
right.
Real life, and real English, is not this way. For example, sometimes I will
tell a story using the present tense, even though the events happened in the
past. This is a technique commonly used by native speakers. However,
when English learners hear these stories, many are confused and upset.
They are convinced that the past tense is the “right answer” and the only
correct way to tell the story. Some get quite upset and even argue with me
about it. These students are so convinced that there is only “one right
answer” that they will argue with native speakers!
These students have been trained to believe that there is only one correct
way to say things in English. The truth is there are always many ways to
say the same thing. We can change verb tenses in order to change the
feeling of the story. We can use different vocabulary and different phrases.
And we even break grammar rules all the time! ‘One right answer’ thinking
limits and confuses English learners. Effective communication requires
flexibility while the “one right answer” mentality trains students to be rigid
and unimaginative.
Connected to this problem is another dangerous part of the hidden
curriculum — fear of mistakes. This is one of the most negative and
traumatizing messages taught in schools. How is the fear of mistakes
taught? Through tests and corrections. In nearly every school all over the
world, teachers regularly give quizzes and tests. The teacher asks questions
and the students must provide the one right answer. Of course, the one right
answer is always the teacher’s answer.
What happens if the student provides a different answer? They are
punished with a lower score. Students are smart, and they quickly
understand that in school, mistakes are bad and must be avoided. They also
understand that truth is unimportant and the best way to succeed is to
