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Ebaby's ESL Teacher

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mitchelk

mitchelkSuper Member!

United States

January 16, 2008

 

Learners, I have a few questions for you: What do you want to do in class? What should you do in class?  My students certainly did not know what I expected from them this week.  Some students came late every day and when I say late, I mean an hour late.  In some countries, tardiness is ok, but not in the US.  My class and I needed to come to some understanding of what was acceptable.  Too bad nobody could agree.

Teachers, you can try this English lesson in your class and see how it works for you.  I gave students a list of classroom expectations and asked them to put a check mark next to the rules we have in our class.

This is a check mark:

  For example:

     If you think any of these are rules in our class, put a check mark in front of the rule.

__ Students should be on time.

__ Students should not eat in class.

__ Students should raise their hands to ask                       questions. 

__ Students should turn off their cell phones                      during class.

  

I was so surprised; each student thought the class had a different set of rules.  For the most part, they thought they could be a little late… and I agree.  As for food, we decided no hamburgers and french fries, but drinks were allowed.  Making rules is hard for me because I see so many exceptions.  If my student needs to work, then he can be late.  If they are hungry, they can eat.  It is hard for me to set rules.  I guess, I am glad that I took some time from grammar lessons to talk about classroom expectations.

Next, I had them write about what they would do if they were the teacher.  And let me tell you: they would be horrible teachers. One of my students would have pizza and music.  She would make the students dance the whole time, but she, as the teacher, would just laugh at them.  My other students were also not very helpful.  Except, there was some hope that my student, Jesus, could be a good teacher.  He would take the class to the swimming pool.  There, they would swim and talk about life.  I wish we could all go swimming that would be fun.  Even though we can’t go swimming, we are going to “talk about life” more.  As I teacher, I think we already do, but today Jesus is going to lead the conversation.  I want them all to feel like they own a part of the classroom.  Maybe we will start using Ebaby so that they can "talk about life" with their peers and without the teacher hearing.  I am excited for class now; they are engaged and now they know my expectations better.  

More entries: Writing with Structure in the ESL Classroom (60), TOEFL, my life!, Emotions in the ESL classroom (1), ESL Classroom Atmosphere and Friendships (10), Interlanguage and Teacher Frustration (16), Fun Online ESL Writing and Reading Lessons (1), Wikis in the ESL/EFL classroom! (7), Students as Teachers...hmm (12)

View all entries from Ebaby's ESL Teacher >

07:41 AM Jan 31 2008

doggy2

doggy2
Peru

it`s alrigth, I`d like to be your student, I need practice english.....where are you from? .....I from  paru and my name is Anthony

11:19 PM Jan 23 2008

frastration1
China

Mitchelk,you are very humorous.

I am laughed by your words.and feel very happy to read your mind.

It is rally a happier time to share your experience and thank you to provide it to us.

02:22 PM Jan 23 2008

the old fashion girl
Egypt

God be with you mitchelk .I know what you are talking about.I'M TEACHER TOO FOR THEprimary school.i'm suffering from teaching them my rules espciaaly when they were others who let them do what they want.Then you will be the bad one and they started to hate you .If you have a solution for this problem please write to me.

06:13 AM Jan 22 2008

John William
Comoros

You are right. Students must have some rules to be obeyed.

10:53 PM Jan 21 2008

hihoo

hihoo
Saudi Arabia

Hi

My name is Hassan.Iam 21 years old and I want to be your friend

09:55 PM Jan 21 2008

nrewndj
Russian Federation

they would swim and talk about life then they would drawn and think about life and death. Sorry, I could not help to make fun. But it is interesting theory about how to make students to think.

09:42 AM Jan 20 2008

Josh K

Josh K
Guatemala

Good blog

11:44 PM Jan 19 2008

walke133

walke133
China

“。。Maybe we will start using Ebaby so that they can "talk about life" with their peers and without the teacher hearing. I am excited for class now; they are engaged and now they know my expectations better. ”

I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA。

11:41 PM Jan 19 2008

walke133

walke133
China

TEACHING REQUIRES PATIENCE。。。。

11:32 PM Jan 19 2008

walke133

walke133
China

YOU LOOKREALLY GREAT!

03:42 AM Jan 19 2008

herryhou

herryhou
China

Hi

I am an students ,i came from china .i think what you said was right ,i agree with you .i thing it was difficult to ask students to obey the rules ,as student,somtimes wo nend spaces.

07:06 PM Jan 16 2008

jaction

jaction
China

you are a kind teather.if i were your student i would  followed under your rules.