A Teacher's Dream (Part 3)

'... coffee, black coffee, with sugar,' Mr Beluze was saying. 'No milk,' he added.

'Me too, Mr Beluze,' I said safely. 'Now for some grammar.'

Mr Beluze nodded eagerly. 'Yes, grammar please, vair important.'

Now, Mr Beluze,' I began, "please listen very carefully.' He nodded and tensed slightly as though suspecting a trap. 'When you are at home, in your flat, with your wife and children, or at work, with your secretary and your work colleagues, you speak French.'

'This is correct,' said Mr Beluze warily.

I leant forward and tapped him on the knee. 'But,' I continued, 'at this moment and in this room, here, with me, you are speaking English.'

'You speak French but you are speaking English?' he repeated slowly, a look of polite bewilderment on his face.

'That's it, Mr Beluze. Now let's do a little exercise...'