So here we are in an awkward lesson

Not really. A really awkward lesson would be one where you ask a woman to repeat what you say, get curt when she doesn't and then learn she has throat cancer. Thank god that didn't happen to me. This is more gentle, but funny, and a little awkward.

Student : What does it mean, to finger?
Teacher: I beg your pardon, Jean François?
Student : To finger, F-E-N-J-A-R.
Teacher: Yes, yes, well, what do you think it means?
Jean François waves enthusiastically.
Teacher: Right Jean François, no, that 's to wave, WAVE...

and a couple more :

the student who said that at the bank, he "made out" (as in make out a check), and the one who said that at her company she liked to have the "fre massage on backside", she meant, of course, "back"...