How do I explain this F in freshman year?

bananapancaker
Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:59:17 +0000

I’m debating whether I should explain an F that I got in biology my freshman year. It’s a long story, but basically, my biology teacher speaks broken English (she’s Chinese), so it’s quite difficult to communicate with her. Actually, it’s nearly impossible. So for her class, she calculates your grade, but you also have to calculate it in a folder. She compares your score with her score, but if you don’t hold up your end of the deal, then she fails you.

I turned in my folder ahead of time, and I was missing ONE assignment. She sent me to do it again and come back next class day. When I did, she accused me of trying to turn it in late, and I calmly explained to her that I turned it in on time, but she told me to fix it and bring it back. Then she told me that she hadn’t marked my folder, and that it should have a mark on it if she checked it already.

I tried reasoning with her and explaining it to her, but she completely dismissed me. Mind you, for the other three quarters, I got all As. And my semester grade was alright, I think it was a B or something.

So do I explain it? I really want to, but I don’t know how I would without sounding like a brat and blaming it all on my teacher. Does anybody have any experience with this?