Boring from within : the art of the freshman essay last week i had for about the hundredth time an experience that always disturbs me. Reding on a train,I found myself talking with my seat - mate ,who asked me what I did for a living .I teach English . Do you have any trouble predicting his response?his face fell,and he groaned,oh dear,I'll have to watch my language.in my experience there are only two other possible reactions. the first is even less inspiriting .i hated English in school .it was my worst subject .the second ,so rare as to make an honest English teacher almost burst into tears of gratitude when it occurs,is an animated conversation about literature,or ideas,or the American language -the kind of conversation that shows a continuting respect for English as something more than being sure about who and whom ,lie and lay