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Throughout the UK, learners have been exclaiming the expression “sixseven” during classes in the most recent meme-based phenomenon to sweep across schools.

Whereas some instructors have chosen to stoically ignore the craze, others have accepted it. Several instructors share how they’re coping.

‘I thought I had said something rude’

Earlier in September, I had been speaking with my secondary school tutor group about getting ready for their qualification tests in June. I don’t recall precisely what it was in reference to, but I said a phrase resembling “ … if you’re targeting results six, seven …” and the complete classroom erupted in laughter. It took me completely by surprise.

My immediate assumption was that I might have delivered an hint at something rude, or that they perceived something in my pronunciation that sounded funny. A bit exasperated – but truly interested and mindful that they weren’t trying to be mean – I asked them to clarify. Frankly speaking, the clarification they offered failed to create significant clarification – I remained with no idea.

What possibly rendered it extra funny was the considering movement I had performed during speaking. I have since discovered that this typically pairs with “six-seven”: I had intended it to assist in expressing the act of me thinking aloud.

To eliminate it I aim to bring it up as much as I can. No approach deflates a craze like this more thoroughly than an teacher striving to get involved.

‘Providing attention fuels the fire’

Being aware of it helps so that you can steer clear of just accidentally making comments like “for example, there existed 6, 7 million jobless individuals in Germany in 1933”. In cases where the digit pairing is unpreventable, possessing a rock-solid classroom conduct rules and requirements on learner demeanor is advantageous, as you can sanction it as you would any different interruption, but I haven’t actually needed to implement that. Guidelines are one thing, but if pupils buy into what the learning environment is practicing, they’ll be more focused by the viral phenomena (particularly in instructional hours).

Concerning six-seven, I haven’t sacrificed any lesson time, other than for an infrequent raised eyebrow and commenting ““correct, those are digits, good job”. Should you offer oxygen to it, it transforms into a wildfire. I treat it in the identical manner I would treat any different disturbance.

Previously existed the 9 + 10 = 21 trend a while back, and undoubtedly there will emerge a different trend following this. This is typical youth activity. During my own youth, it was imitating Kevin and Perry impressions (honestly out of the classroom).

Young people are spontaneous, and In my opinion it’s the educator’s responsibility to respond in a way that redirects them toward the path that will enable them where they need to go, which, hopefully, is coming out with certificates rather than a disciplinary record lengthy for the employment of arbitrary digits.

‘They want to feel a part of a group’

The children utilize it like a connecting expression in the schoolyard: one says it and the remaining students reply to show they are the identical community. It’s similar to a verbal exchange or a sports cheer – an shared vocabulary they share. I don’t think it has any particular meaning to them; they just know it’s a trend to say. Regardless of what the latest craze is, they desire to be included in it.

It’s banned in my learning environment, though – it triggers a reminder if they call it out – just like any other calling out is. It’s notably tricky in mathematics classes. But my class at primary level are pre-teens, so they’re relatively accepting of the regulations, although I recognize that at secondary [school] it could be a distinct scenario.

I’ve been a educator for 15 years, and these phenomena persist for three or four weeks. This trend will diminish in the near future – it invariably occurs, notably once their junior family members start saying it and it’s no longer cool. Afterward they shall be focused on the next thing.

‘Sometimes joining the laughter is necessary’

I first detected it in August, while educating in English language at a language institute. It was primarily boys saying it. I educated ages 12 to 18 and it was prevalent with the less experienced learners. I didn’t understand its significance at the time, but being twenty-four and I realised it was simply an internet trend akin to when I was at school.

Such phenomena are constantly changing. ““Toilet meme” was a well-known trend back when I was at my teacher preparation program, but it didn’t really exist as much in the educational setting. Differing from ““sixseven”, “skibidi toilet” was never written on the whiteboard in class, so pupils were less able to adopt it.

I typically overlook it, or sometimes I will chuckle alongside them if I unintentionally utter it, striving to empathise with them and appreciate that it’s merely youth culture. In my opinion they merely seek to enjoy that sensation of belonging and companionship.

‘Playfully shouting it means I rarely hear it now’

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