Teacher Discussion Forums

Hi Becky, I am using Marathon Mouth to teach senior high schoolers in Japan and find it very useful. I can give you a link to the author I met and perhaps he can shoot you a catalog. Here it is: paulshim@intercompress.com (tell him you heard from Steven) Can I ask you a couple of questions about you...

If their is no discipline system in place at the school it is a losing proposition for you. What I mean is if you ask your supervisor for help dealing with the situation and nothing happens than it comes down to survival for you. I would suggest conducting your lesson as best as you can and never, I...

Hi Fluffy Hamster, Not to worry. I have definitely not lost my love of teaching, something that grows stronger with each passing day. I will continue to soldier on and I look on this years experience and a valuable lesson. It takes several years to find your pace at this school, according to the vet...

I also have a class with misbehaved students. I tried many things and some backfired on me with disasterous results. If the school or your boss is aware of the problem and does nothing to rein in these students than there is nothing you can do. As for my own class, I have given up. I have resigned m...

Hi Lorikeet, I have read all the information here regarding discipline and I for one have thrown in the towel. From now on I will go to school and work just like the natives; not giving a toss. Call it what you will but there is no good coming from banging my head against a wall. I have been in Japa...

I would like to know how to survive a class with no discipline in Japan.

I teach the same lesson to all my classes. Nothing is too easy for anybody. Don't give them information. You must reduce TTT(your talking time). You must give them some simple writing exercises, like reading or listening comprehension questions. At first, they can't do it but if you do it each lesso...

Lorikeet,

Thanks a lot. I have sorted out my problems but the next time something comes up I will be back.

Happy teaching!

see previous post-

Jaimeesl, I used to do the same thing but it is not good. Find out how many lessons you have per class. Make a list of topis to teach. Allow 2 lessons for each topic. Easiest thing to do would be to follow a text. You don't have to use the book if you don't like it but some books have a structure an...

Hi Jaimeesl,

I am also teaching SHS in Saitama. This term I am following a functional communicative syllabus. I begin with greetings/introductions, asking permission, suggestions, telling time, etc. I am currently using the text Expressways. Are you using a text?

(please forgive the edit) I am teaching at a girl's senior high school in Japan. I am an experienced conversation teacher who knows little about class management, method, lesson planning, discipline and so on.I am new to forums but have been asking a lot of basic question since first joining several...

Lorikeet,

Really nice! I have used those things, too. But not quite the way you said and I think those are great ideas. You must be one heck of a teacher.
Thank you so much. I will be trying your ideas after summer.

All the best,
undeterred

Glenski and GOJ,

Thank you very much for your replies.

You have both reconfirmed the methods that I employ myself and I am looking forward to enjoying the summer break and recharging my batteries.

Have a great summer,
undeterred

Glenski, Thank you very much. While reading your reply I felt as though I were in the classroom because those are exactly the things I do and I feel reassured that my efforts are heading in the right direction. This sounds awful but I am already looking forward to getting back in the classroom after...