text: a question for teachers: do you get a lot of essays, etc with abbreviated words and text speak? and does it drive you mad? my aunt is a high school teacher in tampa, florida. she says that over the last few years 'text speak' has become a problem in her english classes. she fails them for imporper spelling and improper use of the english language.   as well she should. when you spell please as 'plz' you should fail outright and without question.