Discipline in the EFL Classroom
Basic Concepts:
The best way
to deal with discipline issues in the EFL classroom is
to have a good lesson that is active and encourages the
participation of every student in the room. An active
student is not usually a problem student.
That said, many students are not in the EFL classroom
because they want to be. Many are there because their
school or university program requires it, their
company/employer requires it, or their parents put them
in the class. So, sometimes, problems can be expected.
No
matter what the problem, the best policy is to keep your
cool. In fact, the best advice is to always act on a
problem BEFORE you get upset, while you can still think
rationally and calmly about solving it. Plan ahead for
dealing with common problems.
Set
clear rules and explain them to students the first day
of class. Be serious about the rules, enforce them
consistently, without showing any upset, and you are on
your way.
Students who talk a lot, or misbehave in a mild manner,
can often be quieted just by your presence if you stand
next to them. Even quite disruptive teenagers can often
be settled down with a simple gentle hand placed on
their shoulder. You don't have to say anything, they
get the message. Try not to take things too seriously,
just enforce rules with a smile on your face - so as to
not upset the rest of the class. Adults generally are
not too problematic, though in some cultures they can
be.
Children present a special challenge. Remember the old
rule that the length of an activity for a child should
be no longer than double their age minus two. Thus a
four-year-old child can probably only tolerate an
activity of six minutes or less - then you better move
on.
Children will often act out for your attention and it
would be best to study some basic psychology and
behavior modification techniques to keep a handle on
them. Generally speaking, giving a child attention for
unwanted behavior is not a good idea. It is far better
to target the child right next to the misbehaving child
and reward them for doing what you want the problem
child to do (like sitting down, or working on the
assigned task).
It
is important to get some idea from your employer what
rules they feel should be enforced and what they
recommend you do about discipline problems. Language
schools are typically private businesses and need you to
deal with any problem gently, positively and in a way
they doesn't chase their customers away. Ask the other
teachers at a school what the school enforces and if
they "back up" their teachers. Some don't - and it is
better to know that BEFORE you have to press the point -
and lose.
Know that what might be perceived as "cheating" in the
Western world is sometimes considered "helping your
friends" in some other cultures. Here, prevention is
the best action - spreading desks far apart and even all
the way up to the front and back walls if need be -
during examinations. Don't allow cheating - but don't
get too stressed by it - it is a cultural issue more
than anything else.
Discipline in the EFL classroom is no different than
discipline in any other type of classroom.
Expanded
Concepts:
Read the
following links for excellent advice, information, and
help with discipline issues in the classroom.
DisciplineHelp.com - a great website!
Top 10 Tips for
Successful Classroom Discipline
Those sites should give you a good start - and get you
thinking about positive discipline
