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Let That Be a Lesson

A Teacher’s Life in the Classroom

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The malodorous horrors of Sports Day.

Bracing yourself for Parents' Evening.

Refereeing teenage relationship dramas.

This is not what you see in the adverts.

From the age of eight, Ryan Wilson dreamt of being a teacher. This is the inside story of his time at the chalkface, from fresh-faced trainee with grand ideals to exhausted assistant head battling ever-changing government demands. It is a tribute to the colleagues who befriended him and to the chaotic, brilliant, maddening students who inspired and enraged him. From Sean, the wannabe gangster with a soft heart, to David, the king of innuendo, and terrifyingly clever Amelia. And, above all, it's about the lessons they taught him: how to be patient and resilient, how to live authentically and how to value every day.

©2021 Ryan Wilson (P)2021 Penguin Audio Education Words, Language & Grammar Heartfelt Student

Critic reviews

"Hilarious, inspiring and so terrifyingly true." (Lucy Kellaway)

"A hilarious love letter to teaching - and to teenagers. It throws open the doors to the staff room and our ears to the gossip inside." (Christie Watson)
All stars
Most relevant
Funny, poignant, insightful, and heartbreaking. Ryan Wilson writes with an ease that about his life in education that is totally captivating. I devoured Let That Be a Lesson in just 2 days, and will be buying gift copies for all the teachers in my family this Xmas! Go and get a copy !

Must read / listen !

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A worrying but truthful account of teaching in secondary schools today. A talented and devoted teacher of English recalls his ambition to become a teacher, and how he fares in posts in two very different secondary schools. His dedication to the job and his ability to inspire and assist pupils illuminates the book, but sadly, at the end those in authority, from the Education Minister through funding agencies and local councils make doing the job he loves at the standard he wishes to attain impossible, and he finally hands in his notice. What a loss to the teaching profession, and a warning of what is threatening the careers of many young teacher today. .

A cause for great concern

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Ryan does a good job of explaining what it is to be a teacher today in England. As someone who isn’t a teacher I feel I have a better understanding of the joys and pressures of their profession. Ryan uses stories and characters from his own career throughout. Many are funny, some are shocking and a few are very sad.
The audiobook is read by Ryan and this makes it all the more engaging when he is recounting events especially those that are most personal and involve his own struggles.
Recommended reading for anyone.

Funny, insightful, educational glimpse into modern teaching in England

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I both laughed and cried out loud whilst listening to this brilliant account of a decade in teaching. The author reads it brilliantly bringing the anecdotes to life. Some stories are funny, some are sad and some are ludicrous. Well worth a listen!

Fantastic insight into Teaching

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This book was equal parts funny, insightful and heartbreaking. An ode to an incredibly rewarding and challenging profession and a damning insight into the woeful handling of the educational system. Teachers, I salute you.

A must read for aspiring teachers and former students

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