Teacher Discussion Forums

Has anyone ever experienced criticism from adult learners that seemed to be more personal than professional? I feel that I am the target of a particular group of au pairs bent on giving me a hard time. After class, I firmly, but gently, addressed their need to cooperate and take initiative to do their part as I would do mine. In other words, the learning process is a give and take, and while I realize they have very specific expectations from the course, I can only meet them when given a chance, in my way.
Tomorrow I intend to give them more of what they seem to be asking for, but I'm afraid of receiving more criticism.
Any advice for a sensitive gal?

I am not sure I entirely undertand your situation, however that being said, I know that it is vital to take criticism and advise. Sometimes it's really hard to swallow, but after its all out and done, you will be better for it. I always am.

Without having seen any of your lessons, it's impossible to say whether or not such criticisms are justified. Is this coming from the entire group or just one or two articulate individuals? If the latter, it may just be the case that there's some personality clash going on. If you teach for long enough, sooner or later there's going to be someone in your class who simply doesn't like you; that's fine if everyone is prepared to be grown up about it and accept that personality clashes happen in life, less so if that person gets off on making other people's lives a misery.

On the other hand, if it's the group, you may need to listen to them and adapt your style and content. Why don't you get them to write down what they want, anonymously so no individual or group can dominate the agenda, and then you can get some reliable feedback while being seen to be taking their concerns seriously?

I'm not sure where you are teaching, or under what circumstances, but I know the agreement with some of the au pairs that come to the U.S. from Europe requires that they attend English classes. Some of them are less than enthused about that part of their requirements. I think the idea of having some sort of anonymous evaluation by the whole class is a good one. I have often done that at the end of a semester, and gotten some good ideas about how to change things for the following semester. There's no reason you couldn't do something similar part-way through the class.

Thank you to those of you who responded to my concern. Before I read your advice, and before going to class, I decided it was best to take my pride out of the equation (I don't handle criticism well) and honestly figure out what it was that they were asking of me. I realized that their expectations of the course (they need to be able to communicate on the job, and as someone said sometimes this class is required) were a lot different from the students I ordinarily teach.
I had a full arsenal of activities prepared for them which I thought they would be interested in, and which seemed to address their concerns.
It worked. They were grateful for me listening to their needs and suggestions and we had a productive class. Phew! I like the idea of an anonymous evaluation, and I will use that idea in the future.
Thanks for your feedback.