English Pro

As someone who teaches groups, I occasionally have to say goodbye to students.
My courses are long - 12 to 24 months - and by now, I’ve accepted that very few groups reach the finish line with the same people they started with.
And you know what? If you teach long-term group courses, chances are you’ve been / you will be in the same situation.
So how do I feel when someone leaves mid-course?
It’s sad, of course - especially when it’s someone you’ve REALLY enjoyed working with. That goes without saying.
✅ Yes, I’ll have to think about filling that spot.
✅ Yes, a new person might not be a good fit — for a number of reasons.
✅ Yes, I might not find anyone at all.
✅ Yes, I worry a little — but just a little.

Do I feel angry when someone leaves?
No.
I understand that priorities shift, life happens, things come up.
But.
I DO feel a certain way when someone leaves in an inconsiderate manner.
Like when they disappear without a word, ignore my messages, don’t pay for their final lessons, or make a decision to leave an hour before class.
Those things sting. Especially when they come from someone you never expected it from.

Recently, a student - a fellow teacher, one of the sweetest people I’d worked with - suddenly disappeared after 1.5 years in the group. Was leaving my messages on «delivered» for weeks, didn’t pay for the last few classes. I still wonder why she chose to end things that way.

So no - I’m not upset when someone leaves kindly:
🔆 they give two weeks’ notice (or at least a few days)
🔆 they say something nice before leaving
🔆 they pay for their attended lessons - and I don’t have to chase them down a month later
That kind of goodbye? I deeply appreciate it.

Feel free to share your thoughts or stories 🙂