Job Discussion Forums

[Like a Rolling Stone]

Hi Folks! I have a problem (and before everyone says "we can see that!" let me clarafy). I teach in an eikaiwa and have lots of good students. But one student is difficult to teach because she is always being cheeky and rude. When it is before lesson she is really sweet and alays smiling like butter doesn't melt in her mouth. But when she goes into the lesson she becomes like this.... She is the only student in the class and she just stops doing work and tells me my lesson is boring (Hey you are here to study you know). Her English is quite good because she lived in America for a long time. She is eleven but tries to petend to be more grown up than she is and then becomes really chilish (like she will drop all her work on the floor!) I think one of the problems is the Japanese teacher before class will always play games with her and then I have to say "OK, time for class" but she will make a big smile to the teacher then walk into my classroom then... well, you know the rest.

Did anyone have an experience like this? What did you do?

[earthmonkey]

[Glenski]

What are the goals of the class?
What do you teach? And, how?

A 1-student class is a private lesson essentially, and therefore has lots of latitude. Take advantage of it (and her high level of fluency).

[Like a Rolling Stone]

[Glenski]

You didn't answer my main question.

What is the goal of the class?

And, if her level is so good, are the class goals suited to her high level? Gotta consider that. Perhaps games are not the ticket.

One more question...

What are HER goals? If those don't match the class goals, you are obviously in for trouble.

[Like a Rolling Stone]

[Brooks]

get to know her better. As a returnee, I think she feels different from the other students. She knows more English than the other students, so of course that is the challenge. You need to make sure that she is learning and the other students are too.

So, that means that she may have to learn on her own in class. So you have to think of activities she can do by herself in class, while you teach the other students.

Some returnees don`t mind helping other students that don`t know English well, but some do.

[Glenski]

If you don't know her goals with English, you are wasting both of your time. Find out. Ask her parents what they want, too. I'm sure the class she's in at your school has some sort of description, as well, for its own goals. Do they match what she and her parents want?

As for correcting mistakes, it sounds more like you are dealing with a typical adolescent response, not a female/male thing. If she is the only one in the class, you have a rare opportunity to help her. I would suggest one way is not to retort on every mistake she makes. Perhaps one day you could focus only on one certain type of mistake. Let her know that on those days.

Another thing would be to explain the difference between conversational English and English used for academic purposes (book reports, university research papers, etc.). Maybe part of your class could be devoted to a reading/writing exercise. For example, show her some written work from someone else (made up by you, or stripped from a novel or textbook), and work together to see if she can find the mistakes. Then have her rewrite it. It might even be fun if you have her take, for example, Harry Potter dialogue and have her convert it into something stiff and formal (proper academic English). Or even the reverse.

Oh, and no matter what you do, I'd also try to get close to the parents. They are the ones paying for her education. If they don't think she's benefitting, they might think it's you, not her, that's the problem. Getting to know her parents might also let you tactfully figure out if she's just as much a pain in the butt at home as in the classroom.

[Like a Rolling Stone]

Thanks for your help! I will try harder but of course I try to understand what her aims are. I hope it's not too late
I think it is very tricky.

[japanman]

Don't waste one minute of your time worrying about people like that. Rude students go out of the door, that's the way it should be.

[Captain Onigiri]

hmmm... I could be reading this wrong because I don't really know the girl but it seems to me that what she really wants is acknowlegement of her higher skill in English. (In her teenage mind, her absolutely brilliant skill at English) As a teacher, it doesn't cost much to acknowledge her higher skill in English compared to the other students. Use that acknowledgement to raise the bar. "Since you are so skilled, I'm going to have you do a different curriculum" If I was in your place, I would have her read books from a selection that you have chosen like Harry Potter or Babysitters Club etc. Then have her write a book report on the book if you want to emphasize written English or give a presentation if you want to emphasize oral English or do both. The great thing about written English is you can use the teacher's best friend - the big red pen to point out mistakes. If she tries to use the "I know!" bit you can point out, "If you knew, then why does the paper have this mistake?" The books that she reads can model the English she needs to learn. Just make sure you choose books that model correct English. This is why To Kill a Mockingbird should never be taught at any school.

[Captain Onigiri]

Oh yeah, I also meant to add this. At some level ALL students think ALL lessons are boring. Some are just more vocal than others. Work on getting that thicker skin. Once you are satisfied that you have done your best, it's time to shrug your shoulders and tell your students, "Learning doesn't come without some pain and sacrifice, get to work". If she whines and yells that this is boring and you release her from the task, you have only encouraged her to whine and complain more next time because it has gotten her what she wants.

[Synne]

I suggest the "Gaijin Dog in the backroom" Gimmick.

[Like a Rolling Stone]

Hooray!!! Hooray!!!

She has left the school!!!

Maybe I shouln't be so happy but my life will get soooooo much easeir now.