Do you want to be TEFL or TESOL-certified and teach in Huaisi Zhen? Are you interested in teaching English in Yangzhou Shi? Check out ITTT’s online and in-class courses, Become certified to Teach English as a Foreign Language and start teaching English ONLINE or abroad! ITTT offers a wide variety of Online TEFL Courses and a great number of opportunities for English Teachers and for Teachers of English as a Second Language.
Why Classroom Management is Important Here we will look at the best ways of managing classrooms. Also some thing to avoid. Starting with body language right through to the actual layout of the classroom. Eye contact is essential in managing classes. It shows students that they are involved in the lesson and ensures that they understand what is going on. Eye contact indicates who is to speak especially when a nod of the head follows. It encourages students contributions and holds the attention of students who aren't being addressed. Your body language and eye contact will maintain discipline- if students see that you do not look pleased with what is going on they will probably adjust themselves accordingly, if not, let them know by telling them. Usually the eyes will do. We use our eyes to check that everyone is participating, to start and stop or to get a move on in an activity. A look can also indicate whether something is correct or incorrect. Eye contact plus gestures with the hand and a strong clear voice are very important in managing a classroom. We have looked at how eye contact can help but gestures are almost as important. If you cannot hear a student because they are being shy or reluctant to answer you can put your hands behind your ears so the student will know they are not being heard. Hand gestures can be used to get students to repeat in chorus, to get them into pairs or groups for activities, to stop an activity, etc. We can give the thumbs up when something is done right or the waver of the hand if its not right or not quite right. The teachers voice is probably their best tool with classroom management. A clear voice with correct clarity, range and variety or projection is needed. The greater the variation of the voice, the greater the effectiveness . It is the teachers job to learn and know their students names. This may take a few classes with formal introductions to learn all the names but is needed. Students names can be used when you want them to answer questions, to organize activities or just to get the attention of the student. It is always good to use the students name at the end of the question, not at the start. This will keep the class alert, not knowing who is to answer. Seating/classroom arrangement are huge factors in classroom management. These are the different ways to set up the classroom for maximum effect. The most common would be to have the seats in orderly rows. This way the teacher has a clear view of the students and the students can also see the teacher clearly. This makes lecturing easy and enables the teacher to maintain eye contact. It reduces discipline problems because the teacher can see what’s going on in the class and allows them to move freely around the room. In large groups over 25 it is the only real solution. Circles and horseshoes seating is used in smaller classes where the teacher and board are situated at the open end of the arrangement . Here the teacher is less dominating and students don't feel like they are at the front of the class or the back allowing them to focus on the lesson. It makes for a more intimate class and is easier for pair work. Separate tables when in small groups become even more informal. The teacher can work at one table while other tables keep working. This is good for group work but there can be discipline problems because the teacher doesn't maintain eye contact with all the class. The teachers position in the classroom is also key. Students are sensitive to your position in the classroom and whether you are sitting or standing. It can tell them what kind of activity it is, what the teachers roll will be and what is expected of the students. If you are standing you are seen by all and you can move around and monitor work being done. Try not to stand all the time because this can become dominating or even intimidating. Sitting shows a slightly relaxing control and is more intimate. So in conclusion seating arrangement, eye contact and gestures along with a good clear voice are very important to keep a well managed classroom for students to reach their full potential. Bob Coulas 17/03/20
