Job Discussion Forums

tvik · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 371 Location: here

what does one do when they decide not to cooperate?
do people have experience with this?

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Impossible.

I worked with prep students for several years and I sympathise.

Baba Alex · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 2411

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

They always pass Baba Alex-they are paying don't forget.

tvik · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 371 Location: here

I can understand that 6 hours of English every day for 8 months is near impossible, especially for an 18- 19 year old. These students would be delighted to do absolutly nothing if you let them AND they'll go and tell the managment that you're a horrible teacher because you do nothing. It's an impossible situation either way. So, you're forced to be a horrible teacher because you make them do the work and you aren't able to make every hour the most exciting time of their lives. Regardless, even if we did bungi jumping from the 6th floor they'd get bored and, in my school we can't kick them out. What ends up happening is a portion of the students, especially the ones who are repeating the year (5/20) bring all but the most devoted students into their plan to %&*!! the lesson.

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

This is where the perfect teacher types chip in ... saying that the fault lies with the teacher and that a good teacher always motivates their students ...

You know the type, a self-perceived nice, friendly, helpful type you'd like to run over with a bus ... before telling them that a good pedestrian always remembers the green cross code ...

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Sheikh:

Would that type say things like:

"There is no such thing as failure-just success at a later date." OR when you moan about how the students don't understand something that type says smugly "that's a late acquired item" OR my personal favourite "I've never had a problem."

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

Yes .. that's the type ... though I'm not sure that they'd still be saying those things after you've run them over ...

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

^Ahh the ME cynics Smile

I'd say teach them how to sleep in the class without being caught. A great skill.

justme · Joined: 18 May 2004 Posts: 1944 Location: Istanbul

Oy, a horrible problem. Though it's a bit early in the year for them to have started already! Shocked

You must have some real b*stards on your hands...

Do you have any way of contacting their parents? Sometimes telling Mommy and Daddy what their precious little darlings are up to helps. Parents don't always care, but they do if they're making any sacrifices to pay for school. At least the boys might get smacked around a bit by their dads. Also, if you've done it once, you can use it as a threat later...

So your management won't just let you kick them out of the room? Is there a principal or someone who can bawl them out for you? Sometimes they just need some attention from a grown-up, especially the boys....

bigbadsuzie · Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 6:28 am Post subject:

Tvik,I teach in a prep class environment too ,at a pre,intermediate level in Izmir care to pm me and we can exchange ideas and strategies about overcoming this obstacle .

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

I would suggest trying the local mafia ... but unfortunately, in the private colleges, many of them are probably the kids of the local mafia ...

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 10:12 am Post subject: Bull by the horns and all that !

Hi Tvik,First off, if so early in the game you have issues already then I think its fair to say you got off on the wrong foot .You need to lay down laws ,rules ,get agreements from the get go ,then you have got something to build .How old are the students ?
I expect that the administration is less than helpful ,so you need in addition to devise strategies ,think of a punishment and reward system ,try to avoid confrontation in the class room ,a no win situation .You will also need to justify to them and explain the benefits of them taking on board what you are trying to impart to them .
Patience is a virtue here ,concentrate on those who show a modicom of ability and give them your undivided attention ,for the time been ignore the no hopers ,when they turn up with poor grades they may change their mindset ,but ,don't count on it .Always liase with any of your partners ,communicate ,share ideas . If you need more pm me .

Good Luck Ollie

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Otterman Ollie · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 1:10 pm Post subject:

Hardly the same thing ,one is educational and a very necessary life skill ,the other is just ,well,plain boring . F.F.S.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!