How to Achieve Good Discipline with Uncooperataive Students

I know a few beginning teachers teaching ESL in Asia. Some have written to me asking for advice related to disciplining of their students. So I shared my experience with them.

Discipline – The first thing a teacher needs to do is to establish his or her expectations. I know in your situation, it would be a little difficult as the students may not understand you. Can you ask someone to translate for you when you are doing this discussion?  The most effective way is to have a class discussion about proper behavior and class rules.

Since you are teaching in a non English speaking country, you will need someone to translate for you so that students would really understand what you are talking about.

 Let the students tell you how they should behave, brain storm and write down these rules on the board.

They may come up with a lot, but narrow them down to
 5-7. Such as

-          Show respect to each other

-          Follow instructions

-          Don’ talk when others are speaking

-          Etc etc. Have students vote on these class rules  so that they feel ownership of them.

After the class vote on the rules, then write them down on a big piece of chart paper and put them up on the wall. When student break the  rule, refer to them on the wall.

Clear expectations must be the first thing you need to establish in the class.

Consequences – Rules without consequences will not work. Students need to know clearly what they are if they break the rule.

After the discussion on rules, then inform students of the consequences. You can discuss with the class  what should be the consequences, but you must have some prepared.

This is what we call Progress Discipline – discipline student in stages.

Our objective is to have students listen to you which comes from earning their respect. To earn their respect, students need to know that you care for them.

Therefore, the consequences are consequences, not punishment.

My consequences were:

1.       First offence – speaking  to student gently about the misbehavoiur; remind him/ her of the rules agreed in class.

If possible talk to student quietly and avoid embarrassing them in front of their peers.
Hopefully, the student's behavior would improve.

If after repeated warnings, misbehaviour persists then #2.

2.       Second offence – detention after school/ during lunch recess – talk to student nicely about the misbehavior, try to understand what the problem / issue is about this student. Speak with them with love and genuine care about them. Often,  I discovered that it was a cover up for students not to do the work because they did not know how to do the assignment but were too embarrassed to ask for help.

3.        Third offence – I called the parents and let them know about the misbehavior and ask them if there was anything going on with the student I should be aware of.
If necessary, I may invite the parents in for a meeting and try to resolve the issue.

When disciplining students, let them know that you care for them and want to help them with their learning. When the students sense a teacher’s compassion, care and  interest in their learning, they will respond to the teacher positively, respect him/her and listen to the teacher.

Positive reinforcement of students' good behaviour is also important. Try to recognize and reward desirable behaviour in class.  A certificate of good behaviour and other incentives can be used to motivate students to perform better.

Off course, don’t forget to pray for your most difficult students!

R.T.

Toronto

Canada

Picture credit - Google image search