Been having some problems with my assistant talking at the start of classes (for about 15 mins ) then butting in when i'm teaching.This has started to annoy me a lot. She's a control freak.
Any ideas of how to deal with this?
How do your assistants behave in class?
You're the teacher and she's the assistant, right?
Problem solved.
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the best way to deal with this is through dialogue. you need to speak to her directly. tell her exactly whats going on.
she is your assistant. you need not feel you have to sugar coat anything. dont be rude or confrontational...
"look, we need to get on the same page here. ive noticed some things about how we work together that I need to address so that we can be more effective together...."
Originally Posted by elc
have you already ceded control of your own class?
if i was you, id tell your supervisor BEFORE talking to her. see what they think. this is key, as they will be aware of it, if any problem should arise, like she blows up at you for even bringing it up. THEN, your boss would know exactly the story.
bosses dont like surprises.
if she freaks out, or doesnt listen, then you have so many options. just tell your boss the deal, and that you think you can handle it. "boss, if it gets worse, can you help me out? but let me try to deal with it myself first"
be specific with your assistant. give them instruction, and dont worry about the relationship, it will all work itself out in time. and yes, she will be quite angry, no matter what.
actually, the worst case would be she saysto your face, but does no changes. if she blows up at you, its easy-peasy then, as you are the lead teacher!!! you have the obligation to set the tone in your classroom. youre not asking her to juggle knives....simply to BE A PART OF YOUR PLAN, which she isnt not doing.
all this is, is getting her on your track. getting her to be a part of your plan. as it is, theres too many chiefs, not enough indians
Tell her at the begin of the class that she should not interact with the students unless you give her general instructions for the class or specific instructions for one or two students who might some remedial work.you have the obligation to set the tone in your classroom.
Be firm.
If she fails to follow your instructions take her outiside and be very very frank with her.
I'd probably give her one extra warning if need be.
By the third time around simply tell her that if she can't get the message that you can't see any place in the classroom for her.
p.s. if need be just have her work exclusively with two or three students who are struggling.
The issue here though isn't really about the assistant. It's your class and your responsibility.
Take charge and be prepared to hold your ground. Make sure you have contingency plans for all the scenarios you can imagine. Stick to them.
Good luck.
It sounds like she wants a career as a teacher rather than as a teaching assistant. Either that or she's puzzled that you dont stand up on your podium lecturing the students like the stereotypical Thai English Teacher, and she's decided to do it so the students "learn".
But the bottom line is that you are the teacher and its your classroom, not hers. Time to be diplomatic.
Do you have coke?
Yeah right. If it were that easy, studies in cross-cultural communications and int'l business consultants wouldn't be needed.
For various reasons, I'm in complete disagreement with you franny.
First and foremost, regardless of titles, you need to find out if you have an assistant or co-teacher. Titles are nominal, find out the reality of your situation.
Also, review your lesson plans highlighting each teacher's role. Literally highlight where you need her involvement. Clarify that she knows when to speak and when to help. When she drifts outside the lines, bring it to attention after class.
If she wants to be involved, find ways to make it happen. Everyone wants to feel as though they're involved.
I do like this one as well,
Ithink that is a great strategic move--Thai sa-tyle.
IMHO, that is a recipe for disaster.
Don't be too nice or they'll try to walk all over you. Do what I do: eat expensive food in front of them and talk about how you much more money you would be making back home if you were teaching there.
Being honest and having an open dialogue is the best way but just be sure you choose you words carefully especially if you're dealing with a Thai elder.
Perhaps remind them just how good a deal they have going on? Maybe once they're mindful of that they'll change their tune.
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"Don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."
Different strokes for different folks.IMHO, that is a recipe for disaster.
The approach i've outlined would be the one I'd take. But if your personality doesn't suit the mode it would definitely be a disaster, you're right.
There is only one considerations here.
Is it or is it not your classroom. I like things in black and white at that level.
Last edited by russellsimpson; 30th January 2009 at 19:37.
For starters, incorporate her in your lesson. Then sus out her cooperation.
Last edited by dexter; 30th January 2009 at 20:25.
Insane Clown Posse
I'd be very direct.
"I need the entire class for the lesson. I'll let you know when you can help."
End of story...
"Goddamn it Lord, bless oh ye this bacon..."
George Liquor American
Its possible to have people sectioned under the mental health act in Britain, is it possible in Thailand? Its important to know all of your options before you act
Well, ask yourself honestly: how much do you need an Assistant? If you don't speak Thai, and you have a class of low-level children, the answer is probably 'quite a lot.' The problem in this sort of class if the assistant is very 'hands on', is that the kids just wait for her to join the party - and their listening skills don't develop as they should. However, if its not a bright class there may be no choice for her but to intervene; she simply recognises that the kids are not comprehending your lesson.
I have a P2 class with just this sort of scenario. I alternate between seeing my assistant as an angel or a devil.
Ultimately, you're charged with working together with this person for the good of your students and it's up to you to be frank and open about what you feel should happen in the classroom. To do this in Thailand I feel, you need to have your 'story' well thought out in advance, i.e. you need to blind them with 'science' (even if its bogus) - that way they will just defer (realising they're out of their depth). Use the word 'professional'(ism) a lot. Bon chance!
- so much so, that she doesn't have time to exert her influence over you or the students.
Plan B: Thais don't like losing face, if you make one lose face you'll have an enemy for life but it does sometimes work. Wait until she drops a classic clanger with pronunciation, grammar, or a completely wrong idiomatic expression, or answers for the students when you elicit, and then tell the class (whether they understand you or not), exactly what she has done wrong, and that's why native English teachers have to come here and sweep up the damage.
Nichts ist wichtiger dann nichts allzu wichtig werden zu lassen...
That's hilarious. That's a sure fire way to make an enemy here, but hilarious none the less. Personally, I would just have a very candid and kind talk with the assistant. Talk about her role and how we could maximize the learning of the students, tell her that you need more talk time to increase the ability of the students. Unless he or she is a cunt, then I am sure that would be more than enough intervention.
The most important point...forget all the other descriptors
The textbook advice for dealing with control freaks is to get away from them...no amount of grovelling, coercing, reasoning or whatever works with a control freak...
They were out the door the minute I arrived and went shopping...after all it is an excuse to stop working chai mai? Those who stayed occasionally were excellent.
A control freak wants to control and have an effect on everything in their path...all you can hope for is that the freak finds some other target...otherwise just bite your lip
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