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Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

I agree with Spyro in retrospect. There is no earthly incentive even in the public unis, to improve teacher standards. They are diploma mills and their 'ranking' is solely based on the funding they attract - not teaching excellence.
The student who told me about sock puppet guy said a few years later that she was so relieved when I took over as Oral English teacher*. These kids were so Westernised and English-savvy that they knew they were being short-changed but were either too polite to do anything about it, or knew the school wouldn't react if they did.
That same school allowed an American lady who was a competitive bridge player, to turn her classes into bridge sessions.
My response to classes that are prone to goof off is to make them so edgy and unpredictable that they don't dare lose attention.
I always select students for dialogues completely randomly. Actually I let students lucky dip the names so they are part of my 'reach' as the teacher.
* It may have been because anyone would be better than sock guy.

Shanghai Noon · Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Posts: 589 Location: Shanghai, China

I'm going to suspend judgement until I witness "sock guy" in action.

asiannationmc · Joined: 13 Aug 2014 Posts: 1342

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

I've just recalled another detail about sock guy my student told me.
These sessions came when he was running out of lesson plan ie with about 20 mins to go.
He would duck down behind the metal cabinet that holds the computer gear, slip off his shoes, remove his socks and then these would appear above the metal cabinet and this 'conversation' would begin.
He was a Brit apparently but I'm not sure if that makes it better or worse.
I wrote a section on 'Hell is other teachers' in a publication and he didn't feature as I didn't actually witness the fiasco.

Shanghai Noon · Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Posts: 589 Location: Shanghai, China

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou · Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003

guobaoyobro · Joined: 10 Dec 2015 Posts: 73 Location: China

I always like to think back to my years in school.

Would I want to listen to myself?

Am I being "that guy?"

Is this interesting?

Now, times all of the would-be issues by 5, and add a filter of noise and clutter on it. Remember, you're not speaking to them in Chinese.

A little energy has gone a long, long way with me.

I also like to start with good warm-ups, every class, even if there's a lot to cover on said day. 10 minutes of warm-up can lead you through hours of drudgery, if you play it right.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

OhBudPowellWhereArtThou · Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Posts: 1168 Location: Since 2003

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

For freshmen.
Wouldn't expect to introduce it for sophomores.
My style is so freakin in your face that they have no choice but to sing.
Besides when the video is working I use a live performance of ABBA.
The boys have a permanent hard on over the blonde.

asiannationmc · Joined: 13 Aug 2014 Posts: 1342

I in the past tried and instill the ideology of ACAB through the delightful and joyful sounds of NWA ...there is nothing like a union of freshmen voices shouting the refrain of Fu-- the Police

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

I find ABBA safer than NWA and less likely (so far) to attract the school's thought police.

asiannationmc · Joined: 13 Aug 2014 Posts: 1342

ABBA: What a loo!

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

I don't choose ABBA for other than lesson reasons.
Their songs meet my criteria for maximum involvement especially those boys who are not really participating but MAY be tempted to get their mojo going again in a song.
Also it's pretty well anonymous.
Freshmen have had no oral English for a year due to the dreaded Gao Kao.

asiannationmc · Joined: 13 Aug 2014 Posts: 1342