A class points system worked for me!
Postbox letter from Kelvin
In ESL classes, there’s often this mix of teaching and fun, where teachers can end up being more like entertainers. I tried to find a balance between keeping things light and making sure that the students actually learned something.
Know your audience!
Postbox letter from Knox
We all know the concept of working both inside and outside "the box". The typical EFL/ESL classroom is the box. The teacher is the colored dot trying to operate within. It seems to me, in order to create more room for learning opportunities, the smaller the dot is, the more space there is to move about within those parameters.
Banning failure
A no-fail student policy has its plus and minus points
Teachers argue that disallowing a failure grade undermines their ability to get on with the job of educating their students.
Bring back real discipline
Postbox letter from Dave
You simply cannot take a namby pamby approach as many so called educators have been writing about for years in their papers and getting praised and their works published.
Tales of Thai school discipline
When foreign teachers face the classroom troublemakers
I thought I'd tell you about a few of my memories of disciplining students from my (so far) 20-year teaching career.
Regaining control of your classroom
Some discipline tips for when things start to go pear-shaped
The famous yellow and red card system is often a winner. Get some coloured cards and every time a student is bad, present them with a yellow card, football-style. Two yellows equal a red and a punishment. Works especially well in all-boy schools.
Teachers that make me angry
Postbox letter from Peter
One thing that I find very annoying is listening to teachers who no matter what is expected of them, keep failing to use their common sense and preparing things in advance.
Learning difficulties
Dealing with students that have special needs
If you get the chance to talk to the teacher you’re replacing, ask them if there is anyone to look out for with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in the class. Otherwise, you could be in for a shock.
The importance of planning lessons
Planning lessons also includes seating arrangements don't forget.
Get a notebook and jot down how you see your lesson going in your head, from the warmer to the presentation to the summary. This doesn’t mean you’re teaching by numbers; it just gives you a basic framework.
Variation in the classroom
Problems with a mixed-ability classroom
Every one of my students is different. There are huge differences in what they know, what they can do, and what they are interested in. How am I supposed to teach them?
