I have a class of 10/11 year olds at elementary level. I teach them twice a week for an hour at a time. I find the behaviour management by far the most difficult thing with this class. I have underlined the class rules any number of times but many of the students frequently disregard them, particularly in terms of talking and not listening to instructions. It can get very frustrating having to ask for quiet every 5 minutes, and having to repeat instructions to keep them on task. Their listening skills are pretty poor, and when I speak in English they often seem to switch off, although I do try and modify my language and speak simply and slowly. As a result I often give instructions in Spanish, which some teachers may disagree with as a policy, but actually it has brought some improvement in keeping them on task.

I asked my boss for advice, and she said that most likely the problem comes from boredom, and I think she’s right. I do try and plan a variety of tasks, not be too book based and include lots of visuals and games, although there are times when we have to concentrate on form, and use the exercises in the course book.

I used to start the classes with a game, but now I find it’s better to start with a task, and I can usually keep them occupied for 35-40 minutes, and then move on to a game for the last 20 minutes or so.
I will sometimes use a Simpsons DVD as a final exercise, with a worksheet to go with it, and I try and use this as a kind of carrot, to encourage good behaviour.

I have also changed the seating plan around a couple of times to manage their behaviour – however as your students are 18+ I think it would be difficult to manage their behaviour quite as overtly. But if you can use resources such as films, magazines and music which are of real interest to them as people this might help.

I’ve done a couple of reading classes where I brought in some comics and teen magazines, also some car and music magazines which held their interest fairly well.

I think we also have to note cultural differences. Spanish kids are naturally talkative, and seem to tolerate much higher levels of noise than children in Northern European countries. It has struck me that quite often, my kids don’t realise they’re being unruly. However, notas and test scores seem to be very important to them, so if I really want them to be quiet, then I can usually achieve this by giving them a test, as long as I make it obvious that I’m making a note of their results.

To be honest, with these strategies I would say have made only a marginal difference to their levels of attention… but there are still 2 terms to go Maybe it will get better…

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.