The way a pupil can cry (4)
I believe the answer is:
howl
'cry' is the definition.
(to howl is to cry out)
'the way a pupil' is the wordplay.
'the way' becomes 'how' (how something is done).
'a pupil' becomes 'L' (as in L-plates for a learner driver).
'how'+'l'='HOWL'
'can' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for howl that I've seen before include "Screech" , "Laugh (or cry?)" , "Shout" , "Long cry of dog" , "Lazy person" .)