Teach English in Dahe XiAng - Zhangye Shi

Managing Classes Using Eye Contact, Gesture and the Voice in a classroom. Good eye contact in a classroom is key to creating a rapport with the students as well as holding attention and maintaining discipline. Gestures are useful as they reduce teacher talk time, convey meaning as well as create a visual interest. It?s important to speak clearly and be aware of our pronunciation when giving instructions and lessons as students will be looking to the teacher as a model for English. Speaking in a monotone can make a lesson dull and boring. A teacher should be able to change their voice according to different circumstances in the classroom at the same time not dominating the classroom and ensuring there student talk time. Class arrangements depend on the age of the students, size of the class, nationality of the students and space available. Whole class groups Pros: creates a sense of belonging. Cons: teacher dominated setting, reduces STT. Not suitable to shy students. Students working on their own Pros: easier to respond to individuals according to their pace and ability. Less stressful on students. Helps students become self-reliant. Cons: Less STT Pair work Pros: allows for STT. Easier for teacher to work with different pairs. Allows students to share ideas. Removes pressure from individual. Quick and easy to organize. Cons: can be rather noisy. Students may talk in their native tongue. Students may not like their partner. Group work Pros: allows for STT. Students are able to choose their level of participation. Cons: noisy, can take longer to organize. Some students may dominate the groups. When arranging a classroom it important to consider certain factors and ask oneself following: How will it affect the classroom atmosphere? Which arrangements are most suited to the teacher maintaining control of the class? Which arrangement allows for student talk time? Which arrangement best suits the activities planned? Orderly Rows are a traditional form of seating. When I was at school this is the way it was as we were a class of 25. This form of seating is better suited to large group of students. This form of seating allows for TTT and less STT. Circle and horseshoes seating arrangements are better suited to smaller groups. The teacher's position is less dominating and this arrangement allows for more STT. It is less informal and students can feel more relaxed in this setting. Separate Tables. Students steated in small groups at individual tables. This is useful for group work. I personally prefer this seating arrangement as it allows the teacher to work with each group while the other groups work, although it is more suited to an older age group as younger kids can get rowdy in this setting. Students are sensitive to a teacher's position. It is important to be aware of this and ensure that the students do not feel dominated by the teacher's position, for example during an activation stage the teacher should observe from distance and preferably be seated. Avoid unnecessary TTT using language below the level being taught, use gestures and basically keep it simple. Ways to create student rapport and liven up the class - know the students. be aware of which students get along as well as the ones who don't - elicit from the students, encourage STT by creating activities which involve STT - share basic information and encourage students to also share information about themselves. - customize activities around students? interests. - use pair work and group work, remember to switch the groups so students get a chance to interact with different people. - be positive and cheerful, smile. Have fun!