Job Discussion Forums

[chrisandcarla]

I recently did my TEFL certificate in Vietnam, and we did our practicum at a public middle school (grade 6-9). The class size ranged from 20-35, which is not huge but the students were SO NOISY! It was almost impossible to teach them anything. I'm sure over time, I'd learn better classroom management skills, but I'm wondering what the situation is like in China, where I know the class sizes can be huge. Do you have a hard time with classroom management? Do the students at public schools seem interested in learning? Is it worth it to really look hard for a small-sized class?

[sistercream]

Wherever you are, you'll get on better if you come in as the heavy authoritarian figure at first - enforce discipline rigidly. Then once the kids know where the boundaries are in your classes, you can gradually relax and the kids will stay reasonably well behaved.
If you try to make friends first, you'll have mayhem in the room, particularly in countries where schools normally have strong discipline.

[Shroob]

I'm at a Chinese university where the 'normal' class size is 32 and I also teach some with 50 students. To say it was a change from my CELTA course experience would be an understatement. Bearing in mind this is my first paid teaching position, straight after CELTA, where class sizes were 6-14. Another difference is I'm teaching oral English only, no reading or writing. Of course I can factor in a little of each, but the focus must be speaking.

However, the students are a dream. Eager to learn and enthusiastic. They are noisy, but they become quiet when asked.

[askiptochina]

Some are good, some are bad. Don't speak loud, you'll lose your voice. Raise your voice at times and explain they need to be quiet.

[igorG]

Students' attitude depends on the level of schools and goals of the programs.

From my experience, where the academic programs are more serious, the students and their parents expect guaranted graduation, which is often a common local practice in the country. That creates an enormous pressure and it opens doors to abuse of programs and teachers. You can imagine attitudes in such classrooms. But they usually begin well. It's what happens later.

The schools support of FTs often is connected to students' attitudes. FTs most of them time on mainland China are on their own.

Having said that, however, Chinese are usually easier to control than westerners.

[7969]

[xjgirl]

i tend to do that too, it works well, after a week or two have some fun, but start off strict

[askiptochina]

The start off strict method is good for younger students who can't recognize right from wrong.

Older students (more mature in middle school) already know. In these classes you do introductions first, how can you be strict there? In the beginning they respect you, how can you be strict there?

The problem comes when they become used to you. That's when you have to devise authority. I use a combination of being strict, using good students to police others, and explanations to control students.

If they understand what you will tell them, they will be more likely to listen. Try to make it as simple as you can to understand.

[Silent Shadow]

I think you need to lay down the law in the first class, regardless of what level or age you teach. I always do introductions first, again, regardless of age (primary up to university age). Then, I set the rules and requirements. There should be enough time in the first lesson to do both. You need to be strict from the get go or you'll find yourself with bigger problems later on.

Of course, older students generally know what is right. Just because somebody knows what is right, it doesn't mean that they're prepared to do the right thing, though. They need to know what you (the individual teacher) will or will not tolerate, and what the consequences are for not doing the right thing. Human nature being what it is, many students will behave incorrectly if no bad consequences will result from there actions, even if they know what is right. That applies to any age, including university students.

Regarding the attitude of public school students, it depends on what school you end up in. Do your research, and ask many questions. Talk on the phone with the FAO and foreign language department staff, if you can. That last point has really helped me get a feel for whether the school cared a toss about education or not.

The preliminary litmus test for a school, in my opinion, is not the attitude of the students ( I don't get a chance to talk with them in advance), but the attitude of the school's management.

[jayjjasper]

There is a thin chalk line between fear and respect.....