Ready..Steady ..Oh !

A Canadian ‘exchange’ teacher arrived and had a few Intensive Language Centre classes on his timetable. These students were refugees from all over the world and spoke very limited English.
During lunch break, “Pete” was on the oval (playing field) setting out an elaborate arrangement of cones and equipment for some sort of course, in readiness for his first lesson with ILCs. After about 15mins, his plan looked very ship-shape and then the bell went for the start of the lesson.
Out came the students who were given a thorough warm-up before sitting at “Pete’s” feet for roll-call.
We watched from the window as he painstakingly explained what they were going to do in the activity. We could see some confusion in their eyes but they nodded at various pauses in the pep-talk and then stood up as our ‘exchange’ readied them for the start, whistle in mouth.
“Peeep!” it went and OFF they ran… and gathered all the bits of equipment up in a flash, leaving them at his feet…and his plan in tatters!