I don&#x27;t think many of them actually believed me (context is important), but many felt challenged. The encouragement, the promise I&#x27;d make them able to fend for themselves, was what made most of them take the effort to learn. When you see something as your &quot;gift&quot;, it&#x27;s easier to help others to succeed - this had a nice side effect of motivating the really gifted ones to teach their colleagues outside the classroom.<p>I also directed questions to the class and threw sweets to those who answered. It was fun to watch adults jumping competing for candies.