Discipline!!

**scribble** · 19th May 2007 20:56

I'm a bit pissed off with myself. I normally keep a cool head in the face off a mocking adolecent but yesterday proved different. First time I'd taught this particular M1 class and I was giving a light hearted introduction, when one of the big bastards at the back( yeh, you know the ones) started making, sort of 'whoop' ing noises behind his hand. I warned him once but he carried on. Basically, I steamed up to him, with a look that must have read - " i will now damage you, boy" and gave him a verbal pasting, top of my voice. Well, it worked, not a peep out of the poor sod (until I prompted him) for the rest of the lesson.

Out of order?

How do you normally control the trouble makers?

Cheers.

**uncleclot** · 19th May 2007 21:06

You did well. My Thai "teaching partner" would regularly spend a good 10 minutes of every 50 minute class period admonishing and berating the students just to get them in line. Your student was "testing" your will and your authority. I think now he has learned his lesson. In my past experience, this student may now become one of your favorite pupils.

**cocosan** · 19th May 2007 22:06

^ that i doubt.

**zehner** · 19th May 2007 22:09

you could have moved him to the front of the class on his own, then spoke to him when the class was over and his buddies weren't around to boost his bravado

**bewildered wanderer** · 19th May 2007 22:28

scribble,
good job... green from me

**Unwell** · 19th May 2007 22:30

Originally Posted by scribble

...gave him a verbal pasting, top of my voice. Well, it worked, not a peep out of the poor sod (until I prompted him) for the rest of the lesson.

sounds fine...wouldn't worry too much. the very occasional explosion under duress is both natural and, in this case, useful!

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plus i'm guessing all his limbs were useable afterwards right? he was in one piece?

**scribble** · 19th May 2007 22:41

Originally Posted by Unwell

he was in one piece?

yeh, it was the cowering away and the wobbling of the bottom lip that kicked the ol guilt in.
Cheers for the input, gents.

**tafy68** · 19th May 2007 22:42

M1 kids are fresh out of primary, they are not used to being shouted at

Shouting should be your last resort, or you may find that they get used to your shouting.

**Unwell** · 19th May 2007 22:50

Originally Posted by scribble

the cowering away and the wobbling of the bottom lip

job done...

and for sure taf...you pick yer targets...when you got some little sort thinking he's the mutt's nuts and that he can get away with anything and when all else fails...the 'alex ferguson hairdryer' trick might be the one...

**zehner** · 19th May 2007 22:53

yup...a good direct bollocking is a very effective tool

**Unwell** · 19th May 2007 22:55

and right in front of their mates can be particularly effective for a certain type of trouble maker...

**zehner** · 19th May 2007 22:57

yes sir!! gotta mark your territory...alpha males rule

**Umbuku** · 19th May 2007 23:47

Losing your rag at a student or a class is a last resort.
I don't like doing it and have rarely done so.
I would prefer to gain the students respect by trust and mutual commitment to harmony in the classroom.
However there's always one and as much as I would like to be a perfect teacher I am human and have bad days as do we all.
The best technique I have found is to humiliate the student in front of their peers. They act up for the attention, so change the attention they are getting from humour to scorn.
A few times I have punished the whole class for the misdeeds of a few and then watched the troublemakers have their peers tear strips off of them.
The important part of this is following up by talking with the troublemakers and with the class as a whole to heal any injury or bad feelings. This can take time but if it isn't done you may make an enemy and worse still drive the student to even greater heights of disruptive behaviour.

**defender** · 20th May 2007 00:12

As said by others - we don't like doing it, but sometimes we all do it. Sometimes it works, sometimes is counter-productive. Most important thing IMHO is not to dwell on it and let the offender and recipient of the bollocking know that if he plays ball it won't happen again!
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Originally Posted by Umbuku

The important part of this is following up by talking with the troublemakers and with the class as a whole to heal any injury or bad feelings. This can take time but if it isn't done you may make an enemy and worse still drive the student to even greater heights of disruptive behaviour.

Exactly.

**AjarnYaiMak** · 20th May 2007 07:35

You did well. Gotta show them who the Alpha Male or Female is. No one will forget that and for the most part they will respect you a tad more. We never get the same respect as Thai teachers do, but God knows, I am king in my class and I am clear on who is boss.

I do it gently, of course. lol