discipline - Page 6 - Ajarn Forum

bcqcboy · 12th September 2008, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by peelieorion

You can and should wait for everyone to be quiet. If 2 people are talking thats too who when it comes to doing anything haven't got a clue what to do. what do they then do, they disrupt your class or copy others and disrupt their learning.

Its not enough just to occupy kids, you have to train them to listen first to you and then each others. Kids at my school shout and scream in Thai classes and even at the principal but in my class they talk in normal voices. I don't start if any kid is talking because later the problems start. In classes of 60 i'm the same. Start off training young kids with fun activities. Stick your fun activity on the board and wait. Shouting over kids is futile and leads to stress, illness and the whats the point attitude.

Dickheads who can't work it out get kicked out. Kids who don't want to do their work at the bare minumum are going to sit down and not speak when I am. then they can stay. 2 warnings and you're out. Consistency is the key. If I wanted to be driven insane I'd go back home and teach again.

Finally some useful advice on this thread. My classes vary so much (in age - 12 to 18 - in English level, and in behaviour) that I really can't take a 'consistant' approach from class to class. But you're so right about training them to pay attention to the teacher. Indeed, I think that this is more important in a lesson that isn't teacher-centred than one that is, because if an activity is highly student-centred and the student hasn't paid attention to instructions it will be a complete waste of time, for him and perhaps his group.

But sometimes shouting over them works to a point (I have a very loud teaching voice).

jonny danger · 12th September 2008, 16:50

My classes are teacher-centered. That's how it works when your students can't count past 10 or name more than eight animals. If my classes were student-centered we'd be playing hammer-paper-scissors all period.

martyboy · 12th September 2008, 20:22

More or less respect than you had for your own teachers?

It's curious, as I mentioned earlier, those teachers with a strict military bearing never used corporal punishment. They had a kind of authority in their voice. I've tried to analyse this. There was no threat of a thrashing with them because they were never seen to indulge. Is it some chemistry or what? And funny thing is, years later when I became an adult it was those teachers whom I respected the most. It's true, those cane happy bastards were hated. But I still feared those military types. They just had something which commanded respect and attention. Perhaps they were just natural leaders. Who can explain?

bcqcboy · 17th September 2008, 10:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny danger

My classes are teacher-centered. That's how it works when your students can't count past 10 or name more than eight animals. If my classes were student-centered we'd be playing hammer-paper-scissors all period.

I'll be the first one to admit that my lessons are too teaher-centred, partly because it's just much easier to take that approach with 30 mixed-level students. But there are lots of non-teacher-centred things you can do even with very low-level students. Even some beginner textbooks, like OUP's Up and Away in Phonics or Sadlier Phonics have very good student-centred worksheets that can be done partly individually, partly in pairs or small groups, and partly as a whole-class activity to help break things up and not be so monotonous.

aging one · 17th September 2008, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny danger

My classes are teacher-centered. That's how it works when your students can't count past 10 or name more than eight animals. If my classes were student-centered we'd be playing hammer-paper-scissors all period.

Didnt know you also worked a university JD.

8ball · 17th September 2008, 11:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cream

if you are having to shout OVER students, you are doing something wrong IMO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cream

made a few of them cry

If u make students cry,,,, {u fuxxin twat},,,,ur doin sumfink wrong IMHO

Quote:

Originally Posted by peelieorion

If I wanted to be driven insane

that'd b a very short drive,,,,, a peelie

really only a walk,,,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lor Ling

There's no excuse for violence.

My father was a violent man. I'm not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lor Ling

If my kid went to school here, and any teacher did that, that teacher would very soon be feeling my fist slamming into his / her face.

well said,,,,,,u big hairy brute

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyboy

No Zehna

zehner's gay brotha?

Piece Train · 17th September 2008, 23:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny danger

My classes are teacher-centered. That's how it works when your students can't count past 10 or name more than eight animals. If my classes were student-centered we'd be playing hammer-paper-scissors all period.

I think it's a combination of teacher and student orientation. As much interactivity as possible. We're not talking TV anymore...we're in the computer age of interactivity.

You can't have one without the other...it's a circle really.

8ball · 18th September 2008, 10:39

Unruly students

me dad wuda said, "Giv em a spell in da army, that'll sort em out."

drdublin · 18th September 2008, 17:14

You really need to be strict at first. Once they're loose it is hard to reign them in.

kenkannif · 18th September 2008, 17:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8ball

Unruly students

me dad wuda said, "Giv em a spell in da army, that'll sort em out."

Not so sure....tends to teach them how to kick arse big time (IME).

Storekeeper · 29th September 2008, 11:05

Consistent application of the rules. Fair to everyone and no favorites. Do not develop overly familar relationships with any students. Firm and immediate action taken every time the rules are broke. Students must have a clear understanding of your grading criteria and the freedom to inspect you records.

Early on in the term isolate who you think the goons are. Then find out their past grades and what the Thai staff thinks of them. If you have clearly identified who the Thais think are the shitbirds ... then begin to hammer them. Teach them humility.