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[ncaraway]

Deleted by author

[ncaraway]

Deleted by author

[opilec894]

I am sorry you have had no replies to your message. I do not check this website regularly.

To be honest, I do not have much advice. (I am interested where you work though, so I can avoid it in the future).

My only advice is 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do'. If other teachers do not do what is expected (and are, presumable, still there), you are shooting yourself in the foot by playing by the rules.

It do not usually think it is a good idea for teachers to do their own thing, but it seems you are p*ss*ng into the wind trying to play by the rules.

I hope this helps.

Charlie Warth
[email protected]

[ncaraway]

Deleted by author

[Taylor]

Hi ncaraway,

Good to hear from you.

Your wife is right (and so is Charlie).

The students who attend are primarily looking for a social experience.

Years ago (before the Internet became so prevalent), adults would attend English classes because they believed that the teachers possessed "knowledge" or information about life in the US/UK/abroad, technology, new concepts, etc.

Now, our students can find all of that on the internet, which of course is now literally in the palm of their hands via smart phones.

It sounds like you are working too hard. Let the students do at least half of the "work" (i.e. talking, leading a discussion, doing an activity) in the class.

With such a small group, it's really difficult to get any group dynamics or positive energy (competition, peer pressure) going.

Just pretend you are in your own home, or sitting at a table in a quiet little cafe. What would you do then? How could you encourage the students to become more active in the lesson?

Of course, use the whiteboard, DVD player, larger space, etc. to your advantage.

Well, hope some of this helps!

Please do post again!

Best wishes,

Taylor
Texas, Taiwan, and now Tennessee