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santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

I am the student in this situation.

I take a French night class once per week. There are 8 students, 4 of them speak English, the other 4 speak Spanish. The other English students refuse to speak French and will not even use French when speaking with the instructor.

My instructor is new to teaching and seems to be afraid to ask the students to stop using English. She is somewhat timid (fair enough, been there) and the students are much older (one man is actually in his 90's, believe it or not).

How would you all suggest that I approach my instructor and ask her if she can reinforce the concept of using French in the class? I would expect a student to do the same if I allowed students to only use their L1 in an L2 classroom (what's the point of being there?).

It bothers me a lot as they are also always asking me to translate for them - I speak to them in French and tell them to talk to me in French, they refuse.

Just looking for other opinions before I do this. I have a baby at home so it's hard enough for me to take a night class, I take it very seriously and want to enjoy the class - but I don't want to come off as a cocky "I am going to teach you how to teach" as she knows I taught ESL before my maternity leave.

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

Hi

I'd be absolutely transparent and frank. Just do the best thing and speak to her directly after class.

Example:

The other students are also always asking me to translate for them - I speak to them in French and tell them to talk to me in French, they refuse. This bothers me a lot. Is there any way you could encourage/persuade the other students to speak french at least most of the time so I - all of us - can practice more ?

Explain the issue eloquently and concisely. This is a case of being diplomatic and sympathetic.

She should appreciate that you have gone to her directly rather than having gone behind her back and ranting to her immediate supoervisor or boss.

There is a lot of simple common sense to be used here. How would you expect your students to deal with such an issue that they might have with classes you teach ? You see my point ?

Wouldn't you like to be approached in the manner I have desribed ? I know I have ..... and I really appreciate it.

The worst thing you could do is try and tell her how to do her job.

best
basil

artemisia · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 875 Location: the world

I'm not sure of the level here - high? I'd try doing that and if it doesn't work, I'd consider raising it directly with the other students during class time in an interested, conversational, non threatening manner using "me" statements.
"I guess the point of my being here is to speak as much French as I can and I'm interested in asking the rest of you what your goals are. Do you want to improve your level of speaking or are there other things that are more important to you?"
I'd then develop this further into the issue that was bothering me.

Ideally the teacher should deal with it but may not be able to (?). In which case I'd try and lead into it in a friendly, roundabout way that doesn't show her up. It could just be an attitude but I'm wondering if it's really a case of the students won't speak or can't speak? I suppose everyone's been tested but it does seem a bit odd that they won't. I've sometimes realised this in my classes; students have managed to develop other skills to a reasonable standard, while progessing through various levels, but their speaking skills have fallen far behind. Sometimes they either don't want to reveal this or it's just too much of an effort to speak much at all.

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

You are far more patient than I would be. This teacher has no classroom management know how, and neither should it be your job as a student/customer to analyse the situation. By all means, speak to the teacher, but if things do not improve speak to her boss or find another class.

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

Thanks for all the advice. I'm not sure what approach to take still - the class starts again tonight and I'll wait until the break to decide and see what is best.

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2011 5:29 pm Post subject:

I assume you are paying for the class, if so, you are the customer and you are not getting what you are paying for. I also would not be as patient as you have been, why waste your time and money? The teacher has to realize what is going on, and has done nothing to correct the situation, and the longer it continues the harder it will be for her to gain control of her class. I wonder why the students are even there if they don�t want to speak the target language.

artemisia · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 875 Location: the world

I haven't always found it easy to find language classes that suit my needs. If I found one that I thought had enough going for it to deal with any issues, or there just wasn't another easy option, then I'd stick with it and try to change what I didn't like. But maybe French classes are 10 a penny in Montreal and so it's a student's market?

We were all new teachers once... Looking back I recall a fair amount of tolerance and openness being shown to me but, sure, this can't be expected.

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

The class is free as part of a government program and unfortunately I'm not really in Montreal but about 45 minutes out - with one baby at home and another on the way, it's hard for me to spend the nights out for a class (the only one in town that I qualified for because I am a Canadian citizen and not a permanent resident/landed immigrant).

To be honest, I ended up going and dropping the class. I asked to be moved to a more advanced level and the program refused. If I can hold a conversation, I'm not interested in staying up until 11pm to learn the alphabet. Thanks everyone for the suggestions - it was free and at least a good learning experience for me when it comes to classroom management.