Hilal Hastaoglu » problems

Occasionally, special problems enter the teaching arena. Among these are students chit chatting, sleepy students, ill teacher, student-teacher conflicts etc. I’ve learned to overcome some of these problems through my CELTA observation classes. Here are my ideas..

PROBLEM 1:

Students talking in class using their native language:

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Argh!! That can get annoying, especially if you don’t understand what they are saying. They could be talking about a stain in the back of your jeans or about how silly you sound saying This, That, Them, There.. Perhaps they are even insulting you!

Ok let’s not get too paranoid here. Students just get bored and it’s simple as that. Even if you are the best teacher and think your students would never get bored, they still can get bored. I think it has to do with student psychology. Solution by the CELTA: It’s usually the two girls that start chit chatting, but sometimes it’s the boy who makes everyone laugh. 

1. Spot the source (who is making everyone talk?)
2. Start a game/competition related to the subject you are teaching
3. Choose partners for students (loud student with quiet student works better than 2 loud students together)
4. Have them sit by their partner (This is the solution step! You are changing their seats at this step)
5. Start your game/competition

If changing their seats didn’t help then… 

6. Give points to correct answers in English. Take away points if they speak their native language. (Make sure you are not serious in giving points – its not a matter of life and death and they should know that, so create a “FUN” environment)

There you go! You haven’t offended anyone by asking them to be quiet. They don’t know that you got them to switch places because when they are together they talk a lot. You are relaxed and you can continue teaching what you intended to. 

PROBLEM 2:

Students feel sleepy and they don’t want to participate in activities etc. 

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Most of my students were employees or high school/university students. It’s not easy to work or study all day and then face a new subject that is alien to you. So, the first thing you have to do is to understand how they feel.   You can probably understand the mood of the classroom in the first few minutes. So if you feel like they are all sleepy…      

1. Chit chat about personal topics like their school, job, the traffic or weather outside and then start your topic.
2. Don’t use the book. Whatever it is you will be teaching, use the white board instead. Books can cause pressure to students at times. No one likes pressure when they feel tired.
3. When you are talking, speak loudly and change the pitch of your voice. The same tone of voice will have them fall asleep faster than you can imagine.
4. Turn the light off or turn music on at the end of activities to show their time is up. Sometimes they will think you lost your mind, but it usually helps them wake up.
5. Have them up on the white board.
6. Have them spell words for you when you are on the white board.
7. Play games, have competitions among students to cause some excitement.
8. Ask your students questions and get THEM to talk. Questions are the best way to force students talk.

PROBLEM 3:

You are tired, sick or don’t feel like teaching at all…

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C’mon… we all go through those times where we don’t feel like doing anything at all. Usually it’s the “sleep” issue. Sometimes we sleep late and yup that is the worst nightmare of a full time teacher. Sleepless in class.. sounds like a good movie name to me.

  

1. Don’t tell students you are sick and tired, because that will have them happy thinking they won’t be studying like they usually do. Their expectations, attention and output will immediately drop.
2. Paper work can save you a lot of energy. Instead of using the white board you can offer them activities on paper. Answer sheets
3. Let them do the talking. Present the subject and let the students that know the subject share what they know with the rest of the class. Interfere when you think they are going the wrong way.
4. Get them to watch a TV episode or a movie. However, every 10 minutes ask questions about what they watched. Ask them to share ideas about the characters. If you let them “just watch” they will “just watch”.
5. Get students to do a listening lesson. Get them to listen to recordings and ask them questions about the situation or people they listened to.  

PROBLEM 4:

How to avoid Teacher - Student conflict:

 

1. When you enter the classroom take off your “ME” and wear your “TEACHER” jacket. Don’t enter the classroom with your personal life. Think of your brain. Draw a border. Squeeze all your problems to one side. Order your brain not to let any problem cross that border you set during class. This rule is very important. The same goes for musicians, world stars etc. When they are on stage, they are there to entertain. When you are in class, you are there to teach.
2. No one is the same. You have to remember that everyone has a different personality. You have to respect everyone as they are. Don’t try to change your students. Except them as they are. Never look down at them. This will make you a better person and a better teacher.
3. If you begin to have negative feelings about a student, don’t just hate them. Try to analyse his/her background, family, life style etc. People that come out of jail get a second change, why not your students?
4. People may have different definitions of respect. Let’s not forget that we all come from different families, cultures etc. A student that walks out of the classroom because he/she has a phone call, may not intend to disrespect you as a teacher. You may ask your students to keep their phones on silent or off in the beginning of the class. It is your responsibility to remind the classroom rules. Don’t expect all your students to know everything. Remind them about the rules before the classroom begins.
5. Try to avoid making comments about topics such as religion, culture or politics in your classroom. Even soccer fanatics can get offended if you talk about how much you enjoy watching Fenerbahce than Liverpool soccer games. Remember your students have emotions and may misunderstand you, especially if you are speaking to them in a foreign language.
6. Remember people learn from their mistakes. Some people take longer than others. We should be patient and understanding towards our students.
7. Be aware of the differences between a friendly teacher and a friend. Being the friendly teacher can keep an unnoticeable distance between your students which can avoid many conflicts.
8. If your student gets carried away and starts disrespecting you, don’t fight back. I believe the victory of every battle belongs to the side that keeps quiet.

If you feel that the conflict is unpreventable by your side as a teacher, you can always seek advice from your director of studies or principle. However, my advice would be to seek advice in a written format with details: date, situation etc. Be professional in solving problems to have professional solutions. 

PROBLEM 5:

How to avoid Student - Student conflict:

 Ok, this is a tough one. Two students, two stories, two problems.. Double Trouble. In situations like these, I usually have the two “upset” students work together as partners (only when I know they wont start a huge fight). This allows them to join their forces together as a team and work together for the correct answers (same target). However, if your students are getting carried away with their problems; 

1. Don’t have them sit together
2. Don’t hold sides, be fair
3. Avoid subjects that cause a debate
4. Use sentences such as.. In my opinion… I think… I believe.. I don’t agree with… This can help them understand that everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
5. Don’t allow students to speak unless it’s their turn
6. Reading can help change the negative atmosphere of the classroom because there is no idea sharing where they can disagree in. 

Asking a student to leave a classroom is probably the worst thing to do to a student. Try your best to change the subject and if necessary write down the ideas of the students on the whiteboard and try to come to a meeting point with the classroom. 

For example:

In one of my classes one of my students insisted that the travel time between Ankara and Istanbul is 8 hours. The whole class started to debate. Some started to argue. So, I asked them about their experiences and what transportation they used to get to Ankara. The answers helped everyone relax. By express train 4 hours, by normal train 6 hours, by public bus 8 hours, by express bus 6 hours. If I didn’t ask about the transportation they used, perhaps my classroom would turn into a fighting field hehe. 

There may be Teacher - Teacher conflicts as well. The best thing is to carry on and do your job right without getting involved in these conflicts. Sometimes trouble may just knock on your door; the best thing to do is just pretend not to be home hehe :) 

Be positive, feel positive and teach positive.

Please feel free to share your ideas, suggestions, experience etc. by posting a comment.