Job Discussion Forums

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

my only experience with kindergarten kids was in taiwan a few years ago. it was a group of really smart kids for that age, and the conditions of the school were quite nice. i worked only two classes a week at this school.

however, there was one problem kid who clearly had difficulties and shouldnt have been in that class. he said almost nothing and seemed to be afraid of me, among other things.

i couldnt deal with that kid properly since i have no experience with small kids and i ended up quitting that job. in my opinion, kindergarten is no place for people who are either not good with kids, or who have no specialized training.

mandu · Joined: 29 Jul 2004 Posts: 794 Location: china

dont worry about it so much
a class is only as good as its chinese teachers,if there are good chinese teachers in the class your class almost all of the time will be good.

i teach a k1 class in the afternoons,the chinese teachers in that class cant work together with each other and it rubs off on to the children.

somtimes children are not into having an English lesson.maybe take some play dough into the class.take them outside kick a ball around.

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

Newbies listen to Mandu - this guy really does know what he's talking about after, i think, 5 years here doing this game. Somedays it just don't work - an kids unlike us havn't developed the self discipline to regulate an off -day - just do something else which is approriate for those situations.

another problem around this time of year is the spring holiday and christmas krap - special shows, tired kids, lots of colds, mom, dad and teachers we're bushed looking forward to the hols mood rubbing off. Coming back after the break can make a world of difference - it aint long now, and it works wonders.

as for Sextus - excellent story - after your ignoble rout I expect you to pay full homage to us mighty kindy warriors - otherwise me and some of my more viscious nippers will seek you out and give you another going over Twisted Evil

Sextus · Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 80

Oh Vikdk,

I never doubted it -- that you primary school teachers are professionals, trained professionals -- and if I hadn't been led up the primrose path to the everlasting Bonfire, I should never have gone of my own accord. You guys are amazing. I don't know how you do it.

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

not enough grovelling Laughing

Sextus · Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 80

P.P.S. The mental image of viscous nippers is one that will remain with me to my dying day. Not being a snob. A very funny typo.

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

sextus you is genious man - lets make a kindey film something a la "saving FT Ryan"

Sextus · Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 80

To the moderator who just deleted my two posts:

Thanks, dude. I'm sure that the sensibilities of Cambodian refugees posing as British English teachers merit special defence. Good work!

It was a joke about how unqualified rascals can fool themselves into thinking they're good at their job. I thought that was pretty relevant myself.

Mind you, what does my opinion matter?

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

where do these mods live- even giving for time differences it must be christmas with them - we live in china we havn't got anything better to do - but those guys - get a life mod do something serious like have a few christmas drinks with your mates, and leave us to have a bit of Xmas fun here writing our "childish" posts Evil or Very Mad

jammish · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 1704

thepreferrednomenclature · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 80 Location: Beijing, Chaoyang

Russell,

You can definately get the kids back, but it may take a while of slowly acclimating them to your new style of grabbing their attention.

1. First, if you don't have one, introduce a short intro-to-class song that you can sing to let the children know class is starting. Make up your own tune to easy words, if need be. For me that has been a great way to get things going. I switch the song up whenever it starts to get less enthusiastic, usually every other month, but always keep the theme of the language around basic English greetings.

2. Definately use props if you can associate them with specific class elements. Four months into this group of kindergarteners, we're almost ready for puppets and little partner dialogues. Show a well-liked prop and they know something fun is about to begin.

3. Tap into the children's imaginations, give them an outlet for their energy and need for fun. Come up with an imagination game for that week, using English and roll playing actions, to always bring them back to English and your class. This week in my class we are riding a roller coaster. You may want to start with something more tame and build up to the roaller coaster. Whenever things need to losen up, imagine in English.

4. Better than telling stories without pictures, at least for me, is having a few great books available. If things break down, go grab a popular book.

5. If you use things like 123, ABC, don't stop at one option. Every week or two come up with a new action language based, attention grabing, chant, song, poem.

Bottom line: The first thing I do over the weekend when planning lessons for the coming week is coming up with that week's "attention grabber." It's key.

Russell123 · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 237

Thanks for all the great suggestions nomenclature, mandu, vikdk...this week's classes went much better and even the consistantly out-of-control kids were much, much better behaved.

What was different? I quickened the pace of the classes and doubled the amount of songs and activities. Used props for EVERYTHING and that seemed to keep them interested. I also got the Chinese teachers involved in the lessons, using them to model activities and so on. I did have to tell them not to give the answers or translate for the kids, but they seem to be slowly learning the basic concept of elicitation.

One more thing...I don't think you can underestimate the value of a getting a good night's sleep before teaching kindergarten.

Cheers to all, once more....

vikdk · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 1676

good on ya mate - you're becoming a kid tamer elite!
I reckon kids need that sleep aswell - classes during full moon periods seem to be more rowdy - must be those kids up all night doing wolf howls.

thepreferrednomenclature · Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 80 Location: Beijing, Chaoyang

Russell,

Everything about the changes you've mentioned: pace, variation, props, and communication with your assistants as to what you need from them, tells me you're going to do much better.

The last point is a great one. Coming in we often assume assistants know what to do, what they should do, to improve the classes and the children's learning. On the contrary, assistants generally have little or no training for these types of roles, and if you know what you want from them (and you should know), it is best to sit down and tell them, respectfully and politely. If need be, take time to gently remind them in class and after class give them feedback on how they helped you. You'll get a much better product and an ally in the classroom who knows you care both about the quality of teaching and about her/him.

Sleep is also key.