Classroom Management - Middle School

Hello,

  I've started teaching in Paju City in a very low income rural area. I teach at a middle school of about 220 students. Classes have begun and I'm not sure what or when I'm going to teach. I have a schedule but sometimes the coteacher teaches during the time period and I read the English portion and others she looks at me and says teach a lesson on this. I've taught 3 lessons during my first week completely unprepared when supposedly I was not supposed to teach at all. This  is not even the worst of my problems.

  I have a 2 hour conversation class with about 25 students from grades 1-3 each Monday and Friday. Here, there is no co-teacher in the room. The students do not listen, will not stop talking, and don't pay attention to anything I say. There is no grade and I have no real way of disciplining them because the school practice is to beat the children, which I will not do. Therefore I have no leverage over the students and they do not care. What should I do? The schools English level is beginner, some students don't have more then two words of English under there belt. I have taken over from a teacher who was here 2 years and it appears he has taught them nothing. How do I get the attention of these kids? How can I teach English to a group of students who don't care? Any advice will be much appreciated.

I was in a similar situation when I first came to my school.

I carry a stick, like all the teachers here, but that doesn't mean you have to "beat" students. I use mine for pointing at the screen or chalkboard, and for banging loudly on the desk to get attention.

So if you don't want to hit students, that's just fine. But you have to control them somehow. Personally, I use the threat of the stick-- but when it comes down to it I discipline in other ways, which are also seen as "corporal punishment" I guess. Such as making them raise their hands over their heads, or pushups. Sometimes I [mod edit: tell the student to go out to] the hall. Sometimes I draw a picture they do not want on their face in permanent marker.

The students are used to the discipline here, and if you try to apply western discipline in the classroom you will likely be ignored (unless you are already respected/feared). You can try it, but it didn't work for me.

My biggest asset is the support of the other teachers. I have the power to permanently remove students from my class, and I will remind them of that if they are continuously bad. They do not want this, because my class is much more fun than a regular class, so they should straighten up a little. If you can do this, do a 3 strikes policy then boot them out. Don't fall for any second chance stuff.

I have permanently removed students from my class on the first day before. There is a long enough waiting list where the spot can easily be filled. The students get into my class by competing in a rock paper scissors tournament, so there is no filtering of bad students during the "selection" process.

Once you've secured a little respect (or fear?) you can start to build on it. My after school & before school class is my favorite part of the day. It is quite relaxed and fun.

I would use grouping. From what I have seen, the higher level speakers - not high level, higher level - are pretty keen to practice and show off their skills. Put them together and leave them alone for the start of the class with a specific topic to cover.
Then do the same with the mid range group with some sort of fun-ish activity and spend most of the beginning of the class with the low level.
You should find that organising the class like this will help them take the lesson more seriously. As long as the activities are fun they should be interested and in that case exclusion is the worst punishment.

I teach at a Middle School Boys school with 1000 students (G1,2,&3). I see students once a week a week and was basically told not to teach from the book. I also teach 8 hours of after school each week (just like your situation, also without a book). Here are some tips that worked for me (for after school):

Being Prepared- If you don't put in the effort, you are guaranteed to fail!

Seating-make sure you have less groups to control (example: 24 students=4 groups of six (not ideal for conversation but much easier to control than 6 groups of 4, make seating charts if necessary, also helpful if there are very low students, just put a high student next to him so they can help teach-most of the time they are not paying attention because they don't understand.

Structure-Make the last portion/period of your class a game, if they finish early more game time, or if bad no game+extra worksheet (example: I bought english games like monopoly, scrabble, boggle, and pictionary: I teach 2 sets of students 4 hours each, the last hour is game time (in english of couse, after they got used to the games I had each group present (teach) a game to the class in english). I know I also try harder if I have something to look forward too!

Material/Lesson- It's ok to have fun. When I first started I took everything too seriously. I didn't take into account that these students go to school 12 hrs per day and may go to your class because their parents make tem...or can't afford hogwons. Do what you cant to motivate the students by making the material interesting, then using that interesting material to create activities that get them learning and speaking (waht they might call "fun"). Hopefully you both will have more fun. I learned the hard way teaching more isn't always the best approach. Mix it up, have fun, it something isn't working then try something new.

Classroom management-If the advice above is working then this will go a lot easier. These students are here becuase there parents make them or because they want to be. Being [mod edit: strict] may work for some, but showing that you are conrcened about their education works for me. Give them minus points points, if that doesn't work then have them go to the back of ther room, not let them participate in games. If they are the "problem student" just tell a korean teacherl, problem solved!

Reward-make a group point system, winning group gets candy. Sometimes hust the competition is enough... Also maybe points build up to a movie (also less work for you, and you have a good reason)

Always make sure to put yourself in thier shoes.Odds are if you are not having fun teaching it, the students are not having fun! Granted, all classes don't be fun. 
I have only been teaching for 9 months, I do not claim to be the best teacher. I give my best, and that is the best I can do. Don't expect to work miracles so when they don't happen you won't be too disapointed. These are only my experiences, take only what you think might work for you...

If you get them ignoring you, find the ring leader hand next to you while you teach the class he will feel embarrassed and wanna sit back down

I have a difficult time some times and my co-teachers are useless in helping. Here are some of the tips I would do:

1) Write down what LivinginUlsan suggested as it is sound advice.
2) make a PPT with rules (with Korean) for the classroom and/or get them to help you.
3) Get some rewards and change it up a bit.( I had an extra cup-ramyon one day and it was the best class I have ever taught because they were all trying to win the prize).
4) Groups are great, but have a floating seating plan. If they are talking, move them. I also make use of what I call the "Hot Seat" where I site a student in the front of my class and direct all the questions on to them.
5) Be Positive. It sounds stupid but if you smile and are excited to do whatever (even just make a joke about things) they will change their attitudes.
6) Competition! These are boys and they will step over their own dead grandmother if they can win something. Also, have a funny prize for the losers so they know that they have to try and do something. I have the losers do a chicken dance.

That is about it. I have included the rules that I started with my first graders. You may want to try these out. I may suggest "starting over with them" and see what they want and then use this as "what you want"
5)

I definitely like what livinginulsan had to say on the topic.  My other advice would have to do with proximity control. One of the best ways, I've found, to stop as student from talking is, as you're lecturing, walking around the class and stand near the students who are creating the greatest disruption to the flow of the lesson.  Even just putting a hand on their shoulder shows them that you are there.  Also, the other students recognize that the particular student is doing something that is not approved of.  I have had some really terrible classes and some really great ones, and I find that this technique works best for all of them. 

One thing that I've just started last week since looking at others' suggestions on here is keeping track of wasted time.  When they are wasting my time or talking too much, I simply add one minute to my minutes box on the board.  At the end of class, the class as a whole has to work off the minutes by sitting there in their break time absolutely silently.  It may seem harsh, but I'm betting the class that stayed seven minutes today will try to keep it down to two at the most next time.  I did have one fantastic table of the six so I let them leave earlier than the others.  It is also a good time to have tell the students that you're disappointed in their behavior and you expect better.  This really gets to most of them as they will try to please you with good behavior after that.

I do use candy for exceptional answers as well and that gets them really perked up.

Good luck with your situation.  I'm sure with just a few of everyone's tips implemented, you will be enjoying your classes much more soon.  Stick with it~!

If your kids are anything like mine ( I also work in a low income area) they wont even hear you trying to organize them into seats. You will get one group situated and the ones behind you will have ripped the speakers out of the wall (yes this has happened to me). And these are 1-2 graders. I feel your pain.

One thing that works for me and I don't know how this works but it does ...occasionally... so you don't scream yourself horse trying to be heard over the roar....anyway usually the good kids sit in the front right, they want to learn. So when the bad ones act up I just give them the stare (Korean kids don't liked to be embarrassed so staring at them in a disappointed manner will make them lose face a little), say be quiet a few times and do the shush symbol (index over lips) for as long as it takes for the good kids to get annoyed that they are not learning and get the bad ones to be quiet. This only works if there are enough good ones.

If it gets really bad you can always call another teacher from next door to shout at them in Korean as you point out the perpetrators. They will lose face with other teachers here too and they wont like it. Depends on your relationship with the other teachers.

Sending kids out of class works. If someone asks them why they are out of class or if have to go back to their homeroom teacher and they have to explain they were kicked out this wont look good for them either.

I know a lot of this has to do with shaming kids into behaving better but if you can't hit them and disciplining them is difficult if they wont listen to you then the only thing left is to try to get under their skin  a little.

A lot of these kids are acting out because they hate where they have to live and go to school. Don't yell it only gets worse. Try to befriend the worst of them I know it seems hard because you want to strangle them lol but if you curry favor with them they will be better for you. Most of the time they just want attention give it to them out of class and inside of class they will love you.

Good luck!

All of the above is true.  Befriending the punk works.  My punks help maintain order now.  goodluck!

Last method is removal or expulsion from the class.  They have no concept of suspension here in korea (unless you like, assault a teacher) and instead rely entirely on physical or emotional means of enforcing authority. 

I however, have found that removing the ring leaders from class all together not only removes the problem, but it also emphasizes to your co-teachers that you simply can't handle those kids.  and the truth is you can't.  you don't understand their language and you aren't willing to play their games to enforce discipline (i'm not willing to whack a kid either).  so.  removal is really the last best option.  talk to them after school with a teacher about why they were removed and howthey will be removed again if they are bad again.  If you can get one of the really good disciplinary teachers to help you with this it can be super effective.  I had some pretty bad students students turn around and actually be little sunshines (still not good at english, which is the real problem, but at least attentive).  I'm talking punks with earrings, smell like smoke, often skip school (so i hear).  And then there's one who's reeeeeeal bad but basically he just stays quiet now (which is exactly what i wanted).

It's hard to know who to target for these if the whole class is rowdy so if it's real bad I'll just do a sweep of people i assume to be ringleaders. 

again, this is like, THE last resort.  otherwise go with livinginulsan and whatnot.  that's your standard means of control.

I should point out that I'm basically in the worst teaching district in all of seoul.  everyone thinks they work at a poor/sub average school but we are statistically one of the worst, apparently, with all the behavior problems that come with it.  I rarely have to yell anymore though. 

All really good advice. Just remember to keep staying positive and trying new things until something works. I've had a bad class that was unbearable for a good 2 months before I found a method that starting clicking (song in between every activity, a game with competition at the end). You gotta just keep plugging away. In my school all the Korean teachers talk about how bad a particular grade 5 class is and how it seems nothing can work. So don't feel too bad when there's classes that Korean teachers can't even deal with!

P.S. I'm surprised your school has "beatings." At my school you can't do anything. If a teacher touches a kid, no matter how light, they tell their parents who then will complain or call the police. Teachers have even been advised that they must always speak softly and never raise their voice to a student. They're not even allowed to touch the students' cell phones no matter how much they pull them out! No, I'm not at a hagwon.

"Sometimes I draw a picture they do not want on their face in permanent marker."  haha I like this one.

A 2 hour conversation class is long, for any age. Is there anyway you could get this time down to an hour? Mabye by dividing into two seperate classes.

One way that you will immediately get control is by setting some clear boundaries. Draw a line and tell students if they cross it this will happen. Stick to it. You'll see immediate results.

There will be students who dont listen and if they are particularly out of hand talk to your co teacher. If your co teacher doesnt listen talk to your VP. If your VP doesnt listen talk to the Principal. If the Principal wont listen talk to the Education Board. If they wont listen then it's up to you. Stay and put up with it or go.

One more thing, you will have good classes go wrong for reasons beyond your control or understanding and bad classes that will continually surprise you in their ability to improve.  Its important to start each class with a clean slate, try to believe they can be great and they will occasionally impress you, when they aren't driving you crazy.

Sometimes you can lose the last 15 minutes of any class (its not you or your teaching), and its best to not take it personally when you have to punish them, be willing to do it.

A active co-teacher can make a huge improvement, but that's largely beyond your control because you are a junior temporary teacher.

Your situation reminds me somewhat of mine in the beginning. I think there's been a lot of good advice so I'll try not to repeat anything.

1) Get your co-teachers on board as much as you can. Sit them (or your best one) down for a talk and explain the problems your having. Ask them to start doing specific things such as:
 
 -call the role-call-this serves to settle in the students a little

 -make/enforce a seating chart (sit them boy/girl/boy/girl, it works beautifully w/grade 1&2)
 
-establish a stamp-reward system. The students get a grid paper and receive a stamp or signature for things like bringing their book and a pen or speaking in class, whatever you want. When it's full it either helps their grade or gets them a prize

2) Start your classes with a k-pop video that has English slang and then have a short and fun ppt explaining the slang. This really really works with the 2nd years.

3)On punishment: Leave it up to the co-teacher. Taking the discipline into your own hands only backfires. The kids won't listen to you and the co-teacher will feel out of place. If they won't be quite or listen, simply refuse to speak until they do. Request their silence and when they don't listen just tell them you're waiting. Sometimes I'll even pull a chair to the front of class and sit down. It surprises them and its also a wake-up to the co-teacher that he/she should be doing their job.

4) Make friends with the kids! They will seem less like little demons and more like children. Once they know more about you and that you're not scary they'll behave better for you. When I first started the kids were very confused by my yelling at them and demanding discipline. They thought the foreign teacher was like a fancy babysitter, so when I yelled they didn't see it as discipline like they did when the korean teachers did, they thought I was genuinely angry. Now that they know me more I can yell at them and they'll obey instead of thinking I just have emotional issues :p

5) Don't ever show them how upset you really are. Its like food for them.

Good luck!

3)On punishment: Leave it up to the co-teacher. Taking the discipline into your own hands only backfires. The kids won't listen to you and the co-teacher will feel out of place. If they won't be quite or listen, simply refuse to speak until they do. Request their silence and when they don't listen just tell them you're waiting. Sometimes I'll even pull a chair to the front of class and sit down. It surprises them and its also a wake-up to the co-teacher that he/she should be doing their job.

This may vary depending on your co-teacher. I've had one co-teacher go off at me for letting them be loud and that she had to do it, rather than me.

Carryihg a stick works!  I carried mine all the time in the high school.  I'd use to poke a kid who was sleeping or not listening.  i agree- hitting is odd for us foreigners.  I'd use it to hit a table to make noise- usually shocks them to hear/see a "waygook" use it!

Just breathe!  While they out number us, we can control them!  Fixed seating plan.  See if your school has a class list- most do- with picutres and their names.  Call on the students by name- it makes it seem like you care if you know their names!

Start the class the same way every day.  Have a routine.  Train them to follow it-= it's hard work but it pays off in the end.  They will start to anticipate the routine and know what happens when and what comes next.  I used to start with either the "Question of the day" or the "Slang of the day".  It gets them into English mode- it's hard sometimes for them- 99.99% of their lives are in Korean!   English tends to scare them off- so they act wild- or they don't think they need to learn English.  Playing KPop videos and songs works wonders-- especially when there is English in the song.

Hope it helps a bit.  Remember we've all been there before- you're not alone!

Cheers

Yellow card and red card penalty, like soccer.   Yellow card they have to stand up until you think they behaved well enough. If they still misbehave then red card. Red card the go outside or have to go to back of the class and stay in a push up position.

One of the things that works best for me is I hand out the Vocabulary list from each chapter which has the important new words from each chapter and their Korean meanings. (Which in my case is already prepared in the book). I hand out glue and have students put them in their notebooks. Then I have them repeat the words after me (This works great to calm them down and have them follow me.)  I then give them one minute to study, and then we have a small quiz where students can earn bonus points. I usually ask them to tell the Korean word for "X" and then switch to tell me the English word for "X" and then finish my having students make a sentence with "X".

The boy girl seating plan really works, and also having some kind of code word to focus their attention. I like "Chihuahua". First I explain using a PPT what a "Chihuahua" is. Then I explain that when I say "Chihuahua" they  should hit their desk with two hands say "Chihuahua" and clap. Works like a charm. After a month when that gets old, choose a new code word like “Flamingo”.

Hope that helps. Good Luck.

Ugh.  Good luck. Korean middle schoolers, especially the older kids, are terrible.   I just the worst class ever - coming down with a cold, it was my worst-behaved class, and my co-teacher was gone all hour disciplining some other kid.  To make matters worse, before she left she told the whole class "be nice to your teacher, she is sick," which backfired as these monsters lack any faculty for empathy whatsoever, and all they heard was "she's too weak to control us!  let's party!"   

I am counting down the days until my worst class graduates and I no longer have to see their faces in my room ever again.  They're gone soon, which is part of the problem of course - they're basically done and just counting down the clock themselves, so they have no incentive to learn anything.  Especially difficult subjects like English.  just keep the lessons simple and easy enough for them to do, and mix in games and Mr. Bean every now and then (although today with my worst class, I erased the game from the lesson plan because I felt they did not deserve it.  bah).