There will be times in your TEFL career when you are really challenged in terms of student motivation and classroom management, notes Bruce Haxton. Students, especially children, can be temperamental – but one of the things you’ll quickly learn is that how you behave as a teacher largely dictates how your students behave. Here are some key things to take into consideration in your classes:

* Don’t shout – Students see this as a sign that they have won. Instead try different tactics such as finding a place to stand that shows the students you are waiting, or refer back to the rules and carry out the consequence. Some good punishments include increasing word counts for homework, deducting break time, letters home to parents etc.

* Do a points system - (for children) In the first lesson put students into groups of around four and get them to decide on a team name. Ask them to draw four horizontal boxes in which they must write their name in large letters to one side. Students get a point for good behaviour and get a point deducted for bad behaviour (doing/not doing homework, using/not using English). If you can, use stickers so students can put their points up themselves (gives a greater feeling of accomplishment).

* Stick to the rules you set – Set the classroom rule, from day one enforce them and stick to them. There’s no point in developing rules that you will let be broken – students need to know that measures will be taken if they step out of line! You know what happened to the boy who cried wolf don’t you?!!

* Keep it varied and interesting – If you want your students to be interested you have to keep things interesting! Use materials which interest your class and have a variety of activities. Don’t stick to the same old activities – they’ll soon get boring.

* Be positive – Students pick up on their teacher’s mood more than you think. Enthusiasm is really infectious in the classroom. It’ll also make you enjoy your job more enjoyable. Also if your students like you they will be less likely to want to disappoint you!

* Treat everyone equally – Students respect their teacher more if he/she is fair.

Every teacher has their own style and methods – work out what works best for you but remember you may need to adapt your style for different classes. What works with one class may not work for another….

About the Author

Bruce believes that teaching English abroad is the perfect opportunity for any English speaker to explore the world. As long as you’re a fluent English speaker, a TEFL course is your ticket to the journey of your life. Bruce represents www.onlinetefl.com

June on the TEFL Times has been set aside for a series of articles from Sharon K Couzens de Hinojosa, the creator and writer for TEFL Tips.

Often something’s that both newbies and old hands struggle with is maintaining discipline in the classroom. Rowdy students can distrupt the lessons and making teaching difficult for even experienced teachers. But if you keep a couple of tips in mind, you can make classes better for both you and the students.

● Be consistent. You have to be consistent in what you say and do both throughout the lesson and throughout the course. DOn’t change rewards or punishments.

● Positive Reinforcement. By punishing only the bad tings that happen, you’re only fighting half the battle. Rather than concentrating on the bad behaviour, look at the model students and praise them for their behaviour. And when you see a difficult student doing something well, be sure to praise them as well for their hard work.

● Start strict. Most teachers agree that it’s easier to get more lenient throughout the course than become more strict. So lay down the rules on the first day and stick to them.

● Play games at the end. Tell students that if they behave well, you’ll play a game at the end. It doesn’t have to be a long elaborate one, short games work as well. Anything from Simon Says, Hangman, Seven Up, or 20 Questions can work. Your students might be able to teach you some common games they play in their culture as well.

● Provide things to do. Not all students work at the same pace. And often students get out of hand because they have nothing to do. Keep a couple of extra exercises, worksheets, books, or games for them to do when they finish. If they’re busy, they’re less likely to make trouble.

● Don’t shout. First off, there’s probably no way that you can shout and be heard when many students are talking. Second, you’re not really fixing anything, you’re just adding to the noise. Try clapping your hands, or ringing a bell to get their attention.

● Follow through. If you say that you’ll play a game, do so. Likewise if you say that a student will be punished, you’ll have to follow through on that. And don’t make promises that you can’t keep.

About the author

Sharon K Couzens de Hinojosa is the creator and writer for TEFL Tips, The LA Job List, and The Ultimate Peru List. She enjoys answering people’s questions about TEFLing and Peru.