ESL Classroom Management
Managing the flow of classroom activity and student interaction is, in my mind, even more important than the material you’re teaching. Managing a university classroom is vastly different than managing a middle school classroom, which is quite different from a primary school classroom, which is different from a small group of adults in a training center.
The University Classroom
A common challenge: Getting students to speak
Tip: Always start with action. Start with a short, SIMPLE activity. You could even tell them to stand and all count to 25 as loudly as they can.
The Middle School Classroom
A common challenge: Getting students care about what you’re saying
Tip: You may need to be strict. Adolescence is a powerful thing and many students have an impression of foreign teachers’ classes as being “play time.” To many middle school students ‘play time’ means talking on cell phones and hitting each other. Confiscating a cell phone until the next class or sending a student off to the Chinese teacher’s office can have a profound effect on the rest of the class as well as students’ respect for you as a “real teacher.” This can grab students’ attention and make your lesson plans more effective.
The Primary School
A common Challenge: Keeping student attention
Tip: Games, games, games. The great thing about the little ones is that the simplest things entertain them. Have them all stand and point to their noses, then their eyes, head, and right leg. Then have a student lead by telling others what to touch, then a different student, and a different student, go faster and faster. Before you know it, they will all be using English words for the different body parts, wont even realize it, and will be having a blast. They take a lot of energy to be ready to give it.
A Small Adult Class
Challenges may be similar to your university classes. Start with something direct and simple but get them saying anything in English right away.