Job Discussion Forums

[fox1]

Hi,

Some classes, my kids seem to think it's some kind of party or gathering where they can chat loudly for 50 minutes.

I ask them nicely not to do it, a few times. Often they just keep on talking. I have a method that works (shouting), but I don't like to do it, not to mention disturbing other classes!

What do you do? I think points will not interest these "diehards"! Most won't go to university.

[Quibby84]

I had the same problem at my school because the teacher didnt disipline AT ALL (she was afraid of them hating her I think). I would spend SO much time telling them to hush, walking back and forth through the desks while the teacher taught. It never worked. I told the teacher that they needed to be moved. SHe said she couldnt do it, there was like a group of 5 kids in the back who literally sat there and talked the entire class....it REALLY made me angry especially since the teacher just went on with the lesson even though they were talking and no students could hear what she was saying. Well anyways, one day the homeroom teacher decided to break up the group (THank God) and it was much better. The kids still sometimes tried to talk across the class but it was easier to stop because the kids were seperated. Oh, I also noticed that if they read a novel during class they are REALLY quiet and the other kids can learn....yeah..I know thats bad...but....
In smaller classes I found that i had to yell a little especially if I told them to be quiet about 500 hundred times over like 5 weeks and they still talked and mocked what i said. I have only had to do it twice since being in Japan and both times the kid was good from then on.
Anyways..good luck...I know that is really sucks..

[ripslyme]

Chances are that this is how it has been for them in English class from the beginning. They're now stuck in this mode and it will be a challenge to change that behavior. There are a couple of things I would do in this situation.

1.) Detention - Not very common in Japan, but hey, this is internationalization! What I would do is assign "detention" to the worst students - either during their lunch or after school. Have them stand in front of the teacher's room for all to see and make them practice their English.

2.) Letter home to the folks - Write a letter outlining the students' behavior (include a Japanese edition, get someone to translate it if need be), send it home with them and have them return it with their parent's hanko on it. If they don't bring the letter back, bring the student in question and a copy of the letter with you to their homeroom teacher and explain the situation. If the homeroom teacher isn't getting any results then try the vice principal.

You may lose some students as friends over this, but hey you're there to teach, not be their friend. Be consistent and apply these consequences every time. The behavior should taper down to a manageable level (hopefully). Good luck!

[Glenski]

I'll assume that by "not stop talking" you mean they are gabbing and chatting in Japanese, not continuing the wonderful English activity you provided.

Several ways to control a class, besides shouting (which only puts you in a bad light):

1. When you start an activity, inform students of a time limit. Write this on the board.

2. Tell students when you raise your hand, clap your hands (once), blow a whistle, ring a bell, play some music, etc. , that time for the activity is up.

3. After you have done #2, and some are still talking, repeat only once, then stand silently or go around the room and gently (perhaps even without words) let students know time is up.

4. Before class even begins, let them know what the schedule is for the period. Write this on the board. Perhaps this gives them something to look forward to. (If they abuse their discipline privileges severely enough, take away the most fun activity, and explain why.)

5. Some students will practically never shut up. They have social or emotional problems. Learn who they are, so that you understand and don't overreact. You may just have to talk over their (few) voices to get the next step in the lesson going.

One main point here is not to show anger very much. I find that letting a little chaos (repeat: LITTLE) lets them blow off steam, and depending on how you do it, the students may even see your casualness as a friendly gesture and help you later to stop the noisier students. You don't have to be their best buddy, but you can show them you are not an ogre or a tyrant.

[gaijinalways]

For some reason, I prefer, the good the bad, and the ugly approach. Having a seating chart helps as I repeatedly call on some people who talk too much or will move them in the worst cases. I will also have them assist me sometimes with writing things I want to write on the board (though some students like doing that ).

[Hawaiibadboy]

Talkative students is a "good" problem. You just need to focus the energy to English speaking.

[gaijinalways]

Good point, but often these kinds of students sometimes refuse to speak in English, even when they can. Actually, I'm like that sometimes, except I'm not paying money to learn to speak Japanese at the moment .

[taffer]

Assuming that you have not at this point of boiling ordered a machete from usarmysurplus.com, for effect, of course. nor brought in a toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste and a bucket proclaiming gently with a weird grin, Teacher will brush your teeth if you don't shut your mouths...ending the lesson by uncorking a bottle of sherry and chugging it whilst they clammor on...

I suggest taking a text, and have them line up, each running around the desk and writing their sentence up on the board, after which saying it aloud. This usually gets them playing my game.

Failing that, I would have a listening activity. Put on Whip It by Devo and have them count how many times they hear Whip It. Or in this most merry of seasons, play a festive tune like Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer, and have them fill in a cloze.