What's the best way to
control your naughty students? I've tried a few things over the years. When I
first started teaching teenagers and adolescents I used to lose my rag a lot. I
was unsure how to deal with that troublesome age and often found it difficult to
control the class. I think that was mainly because I wanted them to like me, to
sort of see me as a friend, but it often meant I had no power over them and
they would soon take advantage and start playing up.
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Don't stare at me boy!
Photo by Road Fun |
That doesn't happen anymore. It
normally takes me a while to get a class into shape, depending on the previous
teacher. I'm strict to start with, especially on homework and Spanish in the class. But the one trick that I've learnt over the years, as opposed to
throwing a pile of books on the floor to scare them (not recommended) is the
stare.
You'd be surprised with the power a
mean stare can have over individual students, or even the class. I use it a lot and it’s my telepathic way of communicating to the
students that they are in the wrong, or are about to get thrown out of class.
Tips for a mean stare:
- Fix your eyes directly on their eyes.
- Keep your lips tight.
- Bite your teeth together.
- Breathe loudly through your nose.
- Don’t blink.
- Wait for them to realise
they have done wrong.
- Once they have stopped
or gone quiet, finish with a smile to show you are not a monster, but you are
the boss.
I use stares a lot in
class at the start of term, but once they know you are in control then they’ll normally behave and you can start being yourself. There’s
nothing wrong with scaring a group of students and then gradually easing up on
them, but start soft and you’re a goner.
Labels: classroom management, how to control naughty students, how to control students behaviour, staring, tefl tips, tips on how to stare