Thread: Weak Students Against Strong

Recently I have noticed so much improvement with two of my classes which are both streamed. These streamed classes are supposed to be the weaker students. I'm not taking anything away from the higher streamed classes but if this year had an extra two months or so there would have been a few unhappy parents knowing the lower streamed classes had scored higher in their finals. One thing I’ve learnt from this semester. Implementing motivation into the weaker students without embarrassing them has a huge effect on there desire to try. Here a few things you’re not going to agree with but I’ll give it a shot.

1. Instead of doing the obvious and giving the answers I have been guiding the weaker students to listen to me carefully and I've manoeuvred them towards a conclusion which would be their answer.

2. The Stronger students have listened and understood my instructions when asking them to give weaker students a round-of-applause when making a slight improvement in an assignment or test. The students are no longer embarrassed when receiving this attention and stand up with honour. (The key)

3. I've helped the students understand the importance of guiding the whole class forward and not leave anyone behind. (Copy I hear you say) I wouldn't suggest that students copying is a good thing unless I thought they might learn something from it would I?

4. Here's the one that (someone) just isn't going to agree with. (Putting on the clown suit) If I can't act a prat in class sometimes how can the students approach me when they want to laugh and not be so serious? If a student wants to tell me a joke, great I’m all ears, (WHY) well if I’m going to be a teacher I want them to learn every aspect of the English language which includes, fun learning, fun role plays, idioms ect. If I can't laugh while role-playing the "wizard of oz" how can pull off been the cowardly lion?

5. number four brings me back to role playing again (putting myself in someone else’s shoes) If I can't get the kids to understand I take my shoes off and explain to them that I am going to leave the room and come back as someone else. I leave my shoes in front of class, walk out and then return. These kids love an actor, someone who can make them laugh and understand what you’re trying to tell them using facial gestures speech and character. (I know, your thinking I'm a prat) so much so the students have understood and walked away from a year that could have lead to disaster for them) You can call me anything you like! :smile: it was worth putting the big shoes on.

6. The kids have been good to me this year and I would like to mention that the weak students are no longer weak because the whole year has revolved around one class/one team. The whole class have worked, clapped, cheered and been rewarded as a team. (The hard part is getting the mediocre students to work alone when taking a test) That's something we all have to get over.

7. Just before I put the kettle on there is something else that helped me through the year. The students have understood when they could laugh because most the time they deserved it. OH! They also knew when to respect me as a teacher and not cross the line. (Key number 2) (A clown can also be scary when pissed off)

One Long Year (WHeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew!)

The student that I classified as the weakest last year, turned out to be shy but brilliant. It took months to draw this kid out, and then he was so proud that the kids began to accept him, also. And one of the kids that I thought was just mediocre, was the worst by far. My first year, one of the slowest students stopped being slow when he realized that I knew both his parents were ajarns.

12 year old girls who transfer in from prathom, and don't make friends in the new class, are outcasts. Very hard for them to perform well. Social ties are essential, even if it's only one like-minded soul.

I thought this was going to be a thread about fighting in car parks or summat... Inner City Sumo...

I take it that it's prat(h)om kids you teach.

Yep!

It would be nice if it always worked that way Geordie, but some parents seem to be convinced that after a year of learning English for an hour or two a week with 30 other students, their kid should be translating Beowulf.

What's wrong with telling the parents the truth, if that doesn't work ask them why they haven't found the perfect solution for themselves. Seems sometimes the the truth hurts but works.

Earl Grey for me ta.

Tetley i tell you tetleysssssss!

I've ran out tetleys until the next batch gets sent out. :sad:

"please sir may i have some more"

Were you talking about a streamed class? I mean you have stronger students applauding weaker ones - were they the strongest in you streamlined weak class?

If it was a normal mixed ability class than you are making a point against streamed classes.

Just asking for clarificatrion.

Were you talking about a streamed class? I mean you have stronger students applauding weaker ones - were they the strongest in you streamlined weak class?

Confirmed!

The weaker streamlined class has strong students who are aware the higher streamlined class are/were better. (the heat was on from day one)

many teachers are against peer pressure but aren't aware that it's a natural existence in school. It can be used as a great tool in the learning environment if used correctly.

broken down

1.Two streamlined classes both working as a unit / team
2. Weaker streamlined class become aware there is pressure to achieve
3. I gave them details on the other classes positon in the tug of war
4. BINGO! the weaker students created a bond that even mike tyson couldn't separate.
5. Two happy classes move onto the next year with memories of achievement and success.
6. (Two i hear you ask) I never once thought that the weaker class could overtake the advanced class but i knew both classes were aware of the situation and needed to improve. Both classes should enjoy the same next year after all they are all friends and know the score.

Some schools "stream" kids economically. Rich kids get good programs.

You can stream a class as much as you want but if students aren't prepared to work together when needed and alone when told your not going anywhere. A good class has weaker students who are seated close to stronger students and not to far away from a fellow weak students. There's nothing worse than isolating weak students from other fellow weak students.

I like the idea of allowing your stronger students to teach grammar as this is a problem i often have when teaching the weak students. They have been taught grammar by a thai teacher (which is fine) but i teach through reading comprehension and not solely verb 1 2 3. Grammar comes naturally that way IMO. I have managed to teach the weaker students past tense this semester using mostly reading materials and classroon activities. Teaching past tense becomes interesting when learning about history. Maybe i'll adopt your method and allow the stronger students to assist and motivate the weaker.