Korean Job Discussion Forums

[elliemk]

I had a few students who were always causing problems. I even wrote a thread about it.

Today I followed the advice of some to give more rewards and less punishments.

My, my! It REALLY worked. I had not ONE behavior problem all day. I typed up my list of "rules." It included things like "Speak English only; Be on time for class; Bring your books to class; respect the teacher, respect other students, etc."

Then I did the mark system I read about somewhere on this board or otherwise. I put each student's name on the board. By each name I put five marks. I explained that when they broke one of the rules, they would lose a mark. I said at the end of class, the people with the most marks would get some candy. Of course, a couple of students broke the rules. But for this first day, I gave them easy questions to make up the marks so that they would get candy.

I explained that after Chuseok, each student would have a certain number of marks at the beginning of the week. The one with the most marks at the end of the week would get a nice price (like an eraser, pen, pencil, etc.) I also said that after Chuseok anyone with not enough marks would not get to play on game day (currently Thursday or Friday).

Their eyes were all wide. I teach in a hakwon, and my students range from 8-15. The responses were great.

They were delighted and started policing themselves so they wouldn't lose marks.

They all had big smiles at the end of the class, and I felt that I finally had gained control (something I've been trying to do, but my lack of experience teaching kids has proved a challenge in that regard.

I don't know if this would work in a public school, where you have 40 students once or twice a week. I don't envy you. I really love having from 2-8 students per class.

Anyway, did you have a great day today?

Tell us about it, and I hope everyone has a great holiday!

[ajuma]

Please be sure to teach them to say "Teacher, s/he spoke Korean!" instead of "Teacher, him/her Korean speaking!" when they rat each other out!

[garykasparov]

[elliemk]

I tell my students we are "practicing" English, not playing games. No complaints so far!

[Hyeon Een]

I had a great day. My two classes were awesome, as they always are, then I went home at 1:45 for 10 days off. (It's a good warmup for the 11 weeks off in the winter). Happy teaching!

[KYC]

The only problem I have with using the reward system is that students can become so focused on earning rewards and not concern with learning at all. I am the 3rd English teacher at the school and have been here for 4 weeks. THey always remind of me what the previous teachers did to reward them for participation, good behavior, etc. I really dont want to start any similar system. It's not that I mind rewarding them with treats but I dont want to take the focus away.

[tomato]

[mindmetoo]

I had a great day. I had 7 minutes of work to do. That said, let me caution you about the long term efficacy of rewards.

1) They'll get bored of them.

2) They'll conclude playing/talking is a far better reward.

3) They'll conclude they can play/talk and instead beg for the reward anyway after.

[elliemk]

I appreciate your thoughts. If they will get bored of rewards, please feel free to give me other techniques to control my classes and keep them interested.

[ajuma]

You know the psychological study about rats, right? The rats that pushed the button and got a food pellet every time became bored and stopped pushing it. The rats that pushed the button and NEVER got a pellet also got bored and stopped pushing it, but that rats that got a pellet at random times kept pushing and pushing and pushing.....

[elliemk]

Yes, I had forgotten about that rule. And with all the psychology I studied (though it was many years ago), I should have remembered it! So enlighten me, please, about other things I can do to keep my students from getting bored and disinterested in learning English. Thanks for your help.

[tomato]

If you have enough time, energy, and money, provide games and picture books for all major topics and parts of speech.
End a lesson on prepositions with a preposition bingo game, end a lesson on verb with a verb card game, or end a lesson on color with picture books about colors.

[elliemk]

Okay, thanks.

[ajuma]

You may want to try a "show and tell" day or days. You could start it off by bringing in something that the kids would find interesting. Explain the concept to your boss so he can let the parents know what you expect of the kids. (You also need to be clear about what you expect, and what you'll do if a kid doesn't bring anything on his or her day!) One or two students bring something to "show and tell" about and the other students (and you!) can ask questions about whatever they brought. It could be a drawing, their favorite thing...whatever!!


For your part, you could bring in something Korean and ask "What is this?" "What is it used for?" and other questions to get them talking.

[tomato]

This is in response to ajuma's post:

I just realized that when I'm in a cranky mood, I tend to confiscate any distracting item which a student brings in.
When I'm in a good mood, however, I tend to make an English lesson out of the item.