Job Discussion Forums

[steviok85]

Hello all,
I know that the subject of classroom discipline comes up here from time to time, but I really have to get this out.
I teach 18 groups of 11-15 year olds. Thirteen of them are great, four are ok, and one class is that hellish to teach that it has not left my mind for almost two months.
Two other teachers (who speak the kids' native language) have also taught the class this year, but, apparently, they have had no real problems. However, I was in the classroom next door when my co-teacher used to teach them last term, and it sounded like a kids day out at an adventure playground.
I spend 90 minutes telling them to be quiet, not teaching English. It was that chaotic this week that I had to get the Principal. I was almost in tears. All I am trying to do is teach them English, but the Prinicipal makes me feel like it is all my fault. Clearly, I lack authority, maybe due to inexperience, maybe due to the language barrier (they are also supposed to be pre-intermediate although I would say that most are a bit below), maybe because I am too serious (it has often been said). However, some of these kids are rebels, and they clearly don't get enough attention at home.
One other thing that disconcerts me- there are two adults in the class, and it is quite frankly embarrassing. They have to be in this group due to work commitments.
I have usually gained respect by 'doing the job' but this situation makes me feel like a real loser and word gets around town too.
Has anybody been in a similar situation and what have you done to resolve it or at least calm the situation?

Sounds like a problem page!!

Thanks in advance

[Glenski]

What is your normal teaching style?
What works well for you in those other classes?
What are the goals of this class?

[steviok85]

The goals of the class are hard to describe. Some of them come to class without books, some sit in class and grafitti their books. A few of the girls are constantly nasty to me, and the boys are rough.
I am quite strict in the classroom. I never try to get drawn into a conversation with the kids in class. My teaching style reflects the principles of the Director- an emphasis on repetition. In terms of learning English, I believe her system is working well- we use course books, but we have to create a lot of drills based around the book and we have to cut out the 'chatty' exercises from coursebooks. It is not exactly 'kid friendly' but the Director has been teaching for 30 years and has a good reputation locally and beyond.
The kids who want to learn know what they are going to get when they come to my classes. Although I am a little too serious, I am trying hard to teach them and 97% of them seem to respect this.
I am not shifting the blame for the chaos onto others, but I have a feeling that these kids had a relaxing time last year playing hangman and such. They probably expected the same in September from me.

[naturegirl321]

Make an exam of a bad kid, if you can win them over that's good. A teacher I know reduced the class bully to tears, and since then was the star student.

Make an exam of a good kid. Bribes, like stickers, candy, no homework work.

Shouting as a last resort does work, talk to parents. change seats, make them lose their free time.

[sharpe88]

yelling and bribes is not good teaching, imo. It shouldn't get to that level.


Troublemakers are looking for attention. Separate them (eject them) from the class so they don't get it.

[Chancellor]

[naturegirl321]

[JZer]

[naturegirl321]

[zorro (4)]

Just play hangman with them.
And you should definitely chat to them. You have to try and find some common ground.

[JZer]

[MikeySaid]

Don't put up with their crap.
Be consistent.
Come prepared.
Grade their work quickly and give positive motivating input.
Keep them busy.
Demand a lot of them and give them opportunities to entertain YOU and their classmates.
You are not their dancing pet monkey.
You are the one who gives grades. That puts you in control.
Spice up your lessons.
Take interest in them and establish professional personal relationships with them.
Make everything they do relevant.
Give them candy.


And.... when you figure out how to do all that without wasting away in your house planning and planning and planning, call me and tell me how you did it.

[Jetgirly]

What country are you in?

I had similar problems when I taught in a Mexican high school. I really started to doubt my classroom management skills.

Then I came back to Canada and turned one of the worst-behaving classes in the school into little angels. My colleagues and the school administration have nothing but praise for my classroom management skills.

The fact is, the students I was teaching in Mexico went to a school that never followed through on the written consequences, and students were never held accountable for their behaviour. In fact, if students spent the entire class poking one another with pencils it was advantageous for the school, as the students who failed had to pay to attend special summer classes. As long as they paid their fees administration was happy. When you're only teaching someone for one eighth of their day there is only so much you can do, as schools need to have consistent behaviour expectations that are enforced in every classroom and in the office.

[steviok85]

Interesting to read some of your comments and thanks for the advice. Sorry for the delay in replying.
I am teaching in Serbia. As I said, by and large the kids are a treat to teach.
The Director of my school has been teaching for 30 years. She knows what she's doing and she's made me a much better teacher. But she is quite a nervous and demanding person, and if she found out I was playing hangman with the kids and 'chatting' she would hang me out to dry. In fact, I think she's right about chatting- it shouldn't happen while the class is in progress. You can't learn English by chatting. Besides, we have to stick to what has been planned very closely. Also, there are two adults in the class- I have to try and teach even though it is impossible in such chaos.
Similar to JetGirly, I have started to doubt my teaching credentials, but then I figure there is a reason for everything. It does help to kid around with the kids for five minutes at the beginning of the lesson and then say: 'Right, let's get to work'. They have appreciated the chat and will work for 85 minutes. This has worked with a few of the other semi-chaotic classes.
As for the class I mentioned in the first post, I won't be able to cut out the nastiness and laziness. I have tried everything- even the candy couldn't shift them. Only another 12 lessons.
My biggest fault is not taking enough interest in the kids- something to work on without making it look to artificial.

[leslie]

Bye