Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Keys to Teaching Misbehaving ESL Kids

misbehaving
Teaching kids' classes can be straining at times. ESL young learners and teens are placed into 2 or more extracurricular activities outside of school. They are tired and at the root of it, just kids! They want to play, watch TV, hang out with friends. Instead they are with you, forced to speak, listen, read, and write in a different language. Fun!
Because of this, you will get a few misbehaving youngsters who are just rebelling out of boredom and forced education. Here are the type of ESL kids you may come across and keys to handling them:
      1. The I'm Too Cool and Old for Games Student: This student ranges between just started puberty to full in the midst of puberty stage. Every thing is boring and not important. And when announcing a game or an activity where you have to stand up, cue the eye rolls.
Possible Solutions: (a)Before mentioning a game, brag about how you used it with older students. Tell them it was difficult for the others but you want to try it with this class. Sweeten the deal by stating that the maturity level of this class reminds you of the older class, which makes you confident that this class can handle the game. And include that even though the older class found it difficult, they still had fun with it.(b) You could also try to play the bad cop card. Tell students that they have two options either they sit quietly writing in exercises or they can do a speaking activity to learn the same thing. (These students are so lazy. They rather speak then write or do anything somewhat physical.) If some students are not buying it. Have them do the written exercises while others have fun in the game. Don't show you are bothered or upset by their non-involvement. You can always invite them later to join another game or the last half of the current game. (c) If you still get resistance, cue the bribery card. Offer an exclusion from a future activity or get the non-student to lead the game as you stand in for them. Give encouragement and cues to how to conduct the game. Or say it is a competition game, the ESL student can be a judge.
2. Refuse to Speak in English Student: This student usually has a low-level of English and doesn't care. A student like this isn't benefiting from your class. They will not want to do anything to make their level improve and they are taking out their frustration of having to be here on to you and the class. If talking to parents and your director has not worked, and removing the student is not an option, maybe a few techniques can make the class a bit more bearable.
Possible Solutions: (a) Anytime the student wants anything from you, i.e. a pencil, the restroom, etc. Make it known that he/she must ask for it in English. Offer help with the desired phrase but the student must say it almost perfectly before getting anything from anyone. (b)Isolate the student. Do not let them be involved in a game or speaking activity, once they speak in another language other than English. One slip up is fine, but not continuously.(c) Copy out dictionary words while the class is doing something else. Assign missed exercises for homework. (d) Remind the class why they are here and why speaking in English is going to help them learn it faster. Have your students imagine how impress their parents will be if they learn English quickly. Well, they wouldn't need these classes anymore, would they?
3. The Crier Student: Now, this sensitive student is not misbehaving but can be an annoying distraction when teaching your class. He/she may be missing a parent or intimidated by not understanding or being understood by the teacher. Either way, they are crying and those tears are hard to stop others from noticing.
Possible Solutions: (a) Give the distressed student a friendly pat. Then revert the class' attention by starting an activity that needs very little supervision. Next take the student aside and ask what was wrong. Use that private moment to console and get the child laughing (use a silly voice/story/etc.). (b) If the crying gets worse, ask for the director/ a co-worker who knows the student's language to help. They may be able to understand the problem so you can help give a solution. (c) Distraction is key. Bribe, cajole, give busy work, whatever to stop the crying.
  4. Never Do Homework Student: This student has a million other things happening in their lives and English homework is never going to be the priority. Don't take offense. Sometimes life is like that. The student isn't bothered, so don't get bothered.
Possible Solution: (a) Document this is happening and notify your director and parents. That way when parents start asking about why the grades are low on exams. You have the proof for them. (b) Use class time to make sure this student understands the vocabulary and grammar. If he/she is struggling, point out that the homework would help him/her remember it. Tell the student that it is okay to come to class early to get some of the homework done/turned in late so that they have some practice. Make a few speaking activities a blend of old class objectives with new class objectives. That will help give all your students more practice.(c) Bribery , our favorite tactic, if the student completes a week or so amount of homework they get a treat. Or if the class goes a month with every student doing their assigned homework, offer a movie day. Chart it for them so they can see their progress. Peep Pressure can motive others when the teacher is unable to.
Whatever the type of student it is important that you don't get upset. They will ruin your mood, which will wreak havoc on the rest of your classes. You don't have to keep upbeat but you shouldn't soak or give dirty looks. You are just making those bad students happy for making you miserable. Instead, handle the incident, then concentrate on the students who are respectful enough want to get on with the lesson. They actual care about how their time is being used in class and want to have fun with the language.
What other misbehaving students have you come across in teaching ESL? What has or hasn't worked for you in the past when dealing with their bad behavior?

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This is a resource for teachers in ESL. To help the community, please leave comments about other ideas that have worked for you, or how some of these ideas have been successful in your classroom. Thank You.