A quick non-footballing thread:

I was teaching an ESOL (English as a second/foreign language) class not long ago and there was a Peruvian man in his mid-40s, Jorge, who seemed to pick things up faster than the others. I was quite impressed as the work wasn't easy at all. https://twitter.com/jimincrave/status/1293229169019695104

When I had given the work out I began to go around the class and facilitate those who were struggling. He used to sit on the far left side of the class and I started with the right side. When I was there I noticed that Jorge had finished and was even helping other students!

So, I called the supervisor over and asked her what his situation was as I was quite amazed at his comprehension *and* that he was helping them with beautiful teaching techniques. I wanted to find out more about him.

The supervisor informed me that he will leave soon because he had to work. I asked where he was working and she said he was a cleaner in a restaurant and he works very long hours every day i.e. 12+. I asked her what his level is in terms of academia and she smiled...

She said he was a PROFESSOR of LINGUISTICS in Peru but had to leave due to some turmoil that came to him. So, he came to England and because he couldn't speak English he worked as a cleaner to survive despite being one of the most intelligent people she'd ever met.

I spoke to Jorge myself just to confirm as I was really surprised by that and he confirmed everything. I asked him to break down the techniques he used for teaching his fellow classmates and he broke it down using the little English he knew but I understood everything he said.

It put a lot of things into perspective for me. There is a line in Modern Family where @SofiaVergara says people think she's ignorant due to her English but they don't know how intelligent she is in her own language (something along those lines)

It is a very true statement.

We can even go further and look at those who have difficulties in speech. I know @FlexUTD has definitely come across SEN students who have brilliant minds but for one reason or another they cannot convey their thoughts and people end up thinking they're ignorant/“stupid”.

The issue of language is so important. There are so many intelligent people who simply do not have the opportunity to convey their thoughts because they lack linguistic means.

The video I'm responding to just reminded me of that.

We need to do better so that we can live in a society that facilitates thought. Language is a means to convey intelligence. It is not intelligence itself. Yet, so many fall into that trap and even mock others — great minds — who cannot speak their language.

It's a sad reality.

Please excuse the non-footballing thread. I know you guys do not follow me for that but I just wanted to express this.

Regards,
UA