‘You just have to laugh’: several UK instructors on dealing with ‘six-seven’ in the educational setting

Throughout the UK, learners have been shouting out the words ““67” during lessons in the most recent internet-inspired trend to take over schools.

Although some educators have chosen to patiently overlook the craze, different educators have embraced it. A group of teachers describe how they’re managing.

‘I believed I’d made an inappropriate comment’

During September, I had been addressing my year 11 tutor group about getting ready for their GCSE exams in June. I don’t recall precisely what it was in reference to, but I said a phrase resembling “ … if you’re targeting marks six, seven …” and the complete classroom erupted in laughter. It surprised me completely by surprise.

My initial reaction was that I might have delivered an reference to something rude, or that they detected something in my speech pattern that seemed humorous. Slightly frustrated – but honestly intrigued and conscious that they had no intention of being mean – I got them to elaborate. Frankly speaking, the clarification they then gave failed to create greater understanding – I remained with minimal understanding.

What might have made it especially amusing was the considering motion I had performed during speaking. I have since discovered that this typically pairs with ““67”: I meant it to help convey the process of me thinking aloud.

With the aim of eliminate it I attempt to reference it as often as I can. No strategy diminishes a phenomenon like this more emphatically than an grown-up attempting to join in.

‘Providing attention fuels the fire’

Being aware of it aids so that you can avoid just unintentionally stating remarks like “for example, there existed 6, 7 million unemployed people in Germany in 1933”. In cases where the number combination is inevitable, having a strong classroom conduct rules and standards on student conduct really helps, as you can deal with it as you would any different interruption, but I rarely needed to implement that. Policies are important, but if learners buy into what the school is practicing, they will become better concentrated by the online trends (particularly in instructional hours).

With 67, I haven’t wasted any lesson time, aside from an infrequent quizzical look and saying ““correct, those are digits, good job”. If you give attention to it, it transforms into an inferno. I handle it in the same way I would handle any other interruption.

Previously existed the mathematical meme craze a while back, and certainly there will appear another craze subsequently. It’s what kids do. During my own childhood, it was imitating television personalities impressions (truthfully outside the classroom).

Students are spontaneous, and I think it’s an adult’s job to behave in a manner that guides them in the direction of the path that will get them where they need to go, which, fingers crossed, is completing their studies with certificates as opposed to a conduct report lengthy for the use of arbitrary digits.

‘Children seek inclusion in social circles’

The children utilize it like a unifying phrase in the recreation area: one says it and the others respond to indicate they’re part of the same group. It’s similar to a interactive chant or a stadium slogan – an agreed language they use. In my view it has any distinct meaning to them; they just know it’s a trend to say. Whatever the newest phenomenon is, they seek to be included in it.

It’s forbidden in my teaching space, nevertheless – it’s a warning if they call it out – similar to any other shouting out is. It’s notably difficult in mathematics classes. But my pupils at primary level are children aged nine to ten, so they’re relatively adherent to the regulations, while I appreciate that at high school it might be a distinct scenario.

I’ve been a instructor for fifteen years, and these crazes continue for a month or so. This trend will diminish shortly – they always do, particularly once their little brothers and sisters start saying it and it ceases to be fashionable. Afterward they shall be on to the following phenomenon.

‘Sometimes joining the laughter is necessary’

I started noticing it in August, while instructing in English at a foreign language school. It was mainly boys saying it. I educated teenagers and it was common within the younger pupils. I was unaware its meaning at the time, but as a young adult and I realised it was simply an internet trend comparable to when I attended classes.

The crazes are continuously evolving. ““Skibidi” was a popular meme during the period when I was at my training school, but it didn’t really occur as often in the learning environment. Unlike ““sixseven”, ““that particular meme” was not inscribed on the chalkboard in class, so learners were less equipped to pick up on it.

I simply disregard it, or sometimes I will chuckle alongside them if I inadvertently mention it, attempting to relate to them and recognize that it’s simply pop culture. I think they just want to enjoy that sensation of togetherness and friendship.

‘Humorous repetition has reduced its frequency’

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Stephen Soto
Stephen Soto

Elara Vance is a linguist and storyteller with a passion for exploring how words shape our world and inspire creativity in everyday life.