I have no idea on what to do. I try to give them interesting and fun lessons, but it �s being hard.

 

Maybe because I �m a new teacher? Any ideas on what I could do to make them pay attention?

 

Forgive me if I did anything wrong. And good bye!

               It is sometimes difficult to get student �s respect as a foreign teacher, particularly when you cannot converse in the language of your students. It is important to spend time during your first meetings with a group of new students in establishing the rules of your classroom. You can turn this into a learning experience for the students so, together, you can devise a set of rules (no talking when the teacher is talking, come to class on time, etc). When you have decided on a set of rules divide the students into groups and get them to make posters to illustrate the rules. The best poster(s) can be put on the classroom wall and, later, if a student is breaking a rule you can use the poster to point it out.

   Another thing I would say is, it is important to be firm at the beginning; it is more important that students respect you rather than like you, in fact, I would say if students respect you they will like you more. You can relax a little and be more tolerant as time passes but only when the students know your allowed limit.

   There are lots of ways to get students to pay attention but a very simple trick I use is to train the students that when I clap my hands twice and shout "look at me!" they must respond by clapping their hands twice and shouting "look at you!" You must be patient when you are teaching this, so you clap and shout and make sure you get a response from every student, if you see a student who doesn �t respond, go and stand next to the student and clap and shout again, this time they will respond. As the exercise gains momentum, more students will respond you should get to a point where you will clap and shout and every student will respond and look at you. Do not say or do anything until you have the attention of the entire class. If one or two students are still talking, just stare at them, other students will let them know they should be paying attention.  I know it seems very simple but it does work!

   I know it can be very difficult when you start out but it does get easier. Good luck. 

Because in my opinion, teaching kids in Brazil (with little or no contact, like you �ve mentioned) is really tricky and without the proper preparation and support, it �s nearly impossible to get any job done.

 

You did not do anything wrong, but young kids can �t focus and concentrate like grown-ups can, therefore, it would definately mean having some kind of degree on that.

 

 EDIT: Also, are you teaching in public/private schools or private courses?

stacksy: Thank you so much for the poster idea and the advice!

 

Bruna: I have a degree (Gladly, in my city you can�t find any good jobs as a teacher without a degree.), but I �m having issues putting theory to practice. I�m looking for further training to see if it helps, though. I understand they can �t pay attention like grown ups, but they don �t pay any attention at all. I try to grab their attention and put what I learned to practice, but it�s though.

 

I�m also shy (treating social anxiety disorder) and insecure and my insecurity makes them feel insecure and lose respect for me.

 

Edit: Public schools.

 

 

Another thing that worked for me is playing background music while they work. But not all music is appropiate. I discovered a lovely series called "Babies go..." which has songs of different well known artists like "The Beatles", Madonna, Robbie Williams, etc but their are played with a sweet melody like the one on music boxes and of course with out the lyrics. This kind of music seems to relax them and as they are well known songs they recognize them and they like to listen to them. Maybe you can even download one or two Cds and try it out. My favourite are Babies go Queen. Babies go U2 and Babies go Robbie Williams.

Good Luck and never show your students that you are desperate although you really are .

Love from Agentina

NAty

Good luck again!

 

REALLY... REALLY... trust yourself! Be confident, speak in front of a mirror that you can handle them, and if you are in treatment for social disorder, I �m sure you are already trying!

 

I really do think that confidence in yourself and your capacity is the single most important thing for you to be able to handle a class of 30-something students around the age of 9.

You �ll always have all your knowledge, since you �re majored, but that alone doesn �t help if you don �t rise to the occasion and really get their attention to you (and your work).

 

I hope you get to overcome your trouble!

Hugs,

 

Bruna

Some really good advice so far from our dedicated teachers!! I agree whole-heartedly to the establishment of rules from day one.

 

I have a quick question for you Aninha Feliz. Have you ever punished any misbehaving students in your class?

 

 

 

But I also think it is very important to show that you are confident and that you know exactly what you are doing and why.

However, I teach older kids - from the age of 12 and in the Czech Republic we usually have around 15 students for languages so it is easier ...

I wish you the very best of luck. 

It is always difficult at the beginning. We have all been through it but it is worth the effort :-)  

Hugs

Denisa