Is it rude to correct your teachers?

Question

I find my french teacher making occasional mistakes on the blackboard, and when i tell her she seems irritated, but then she corrects it.

I also do this in science and math, when the teacher makes a mistake on an equation.

Do you think it's rude to correct teachers?

I am in 10th grade.

Answer 1

Please! It all depends on how you correct your teachers. We all make mistakes, and I've found that some teachers readily acknowledge their mistakes ... and even appreciate that it was pointed out to them. Of course ... I'm in college, and the professors seem to be a little more mature than some lower-grade teachers. You do need to feel the teacher out before making a correction, though. Some can be downright nasty about it. I had one professor who was that way.

It's not rude to correct your teachers ... what's rude is if you have a know-it-all attitude when doing so. One way you can do it is to maybe raise your hand and say something like, "Excuse me ... my eyes are really bad and I can't see the blackboard well. What's that you wrote on it?" If she still doesn't get it, you can try to find a tactful way to point out her mistake without her even realizing it. More than likely she's feeling stupid in front of her other students ... which isn't your fault, but all the same. You can probably even start conversating with her outside of class, maybe use it as an excuse to ask her some homework questions (even if you already know the answers) ... just so she knows you're not the enemy. She'll probably eventually start to loosen up.

Math and science?! Yeah, you'd better correct them if you find a mistake. Those are two of the most killer subjects in the world ... you can't AFFORD to just sit back and let those students be misdirected! Just remember, though ... tact is the key. Teachers have feelings, too ... as I'm sure you know, since you're posting your concerns. Just avoid coming across with an attitude that can easily turn the situation ugly or confrontational, and you'll be just fine, I think.

Answer 2

It depends on a few things. Consider the following:
1. What is your purpose in correcting? Is it to help the learning of your classmates, or to make yourself look smarter than the teacher?
2. Will the correction actually make a difference to the lesson? In other words, will the other students be learning something wrong if you don't correct it?
3. Are you correcting at an appropriate time? Are you interrupting the teacher or doing this at a good moment?

Actually, you could very respectfully ask the teacher this question and see what he/she would prefer.

Answer 3

If you're doing it to be helpful, no. If you're doing it to seem smart (be honest), yes.

If an equation is wrong, and kids are going to copy it down that way, then by all means correct him/her. The same thing goes for other classes. If the teacher's just talking, I wouldn't make the correction, because everyone makes occasional mistakes while speaking.

Answer 4

It really depends on how you present it and the teacher's personality. For me, I don't have an issue with any student correcting my errors -- if it is done politely. I have some collegues who totally would flip out on a student if s/he corrected them.

Some students make it their goal to be thorns in the sides of their teachers. They take distinct pleasure in trying to trip up their teachers. These students are rude and obnoxious. As a teacher, I've had several of these students. Yes, I do get upset when they try to belittle and/or humilate me. However, most students are not like this. I'm assuming that you're not - you're just trying to be helpful. If so, please couch your criticism in polite language. (Many of the other posts to this question gave you wonderful examples.)

Good luck!

Answer 5

If it is a big mistake (ex: "Hitler started the Revolutionary War...") then you can suggest the correct answer (ex: "Didn't Hitler start WWII?"). Same goes for other subject.
Bring it up, but don't say "You are wrong, you screwed up on x,y,z." That is rude. Be respectful. Try suggesting, rather than correcting.
I have been in teaching situations, and yes it is kind of rude for people to try to correct you all the time (often in situations where I wasn't done, or their corrections were wrong or not thought out). I'm not saying this is you, but give it a thought.
Just always be respectful.

Answer 6

Its not rude as long as you aren't rude about how you correct them. If you say it in a nice way then I don't see a problem with it. But if you are shouting out things without raising your hand and making them feel stupid, then it's rude. It is good that you are finding the mistakes, that way the whole class doesn't learn something that is incorrect. Keep up the good work, you sound very smart!

Answer 7

If the error is such that it's going to create problems for the entire class, then by all means take some respectful preventive action. If the error is trivial and will have little or no effect on the lesson, then let it go. No one likes a smart aleck constantly breathing down their neck looking for minor errors to crow about. Playing "Gotcha!" is unattractive and may even be a character trait -- an undesirable character trait.

Answer 8

Don't do it in front of others. A teacher is human too. We are all gonna make mistakes from time to time. Probably the way you are doing it, is what's irritating. Maybe you caught on to a few mistakes, but your teachers put alot of time and effort into their proffession. Something you haven't even begun to do. They deserve respect for wanting a job like that 'cause lord knows I couldn't put up with a bunch of 10th graders myself.

Answer 9

Well, it depends on how you point it out to the teacher(s). If you say something such as " you did it wrong" or anything that sounds remotely impolite, then of course that will be considered rude. But if you are polite and raise your hand and say something like " I got a different answer than that" or anything that also, is not so blunt, then it would not be considered rude or impolite.

Answer 10

Yes, absolutely, because it would be done in front of others. NO person likes to be corrected in front of others, especially if that person is one of authority. For the trivial mistakes, grin and bear it. For the rest, get with your buddies after class and explain your opposing view to them. You can also do that with the teacher occasionally.