[rycfarley]

I teach in a very similar situation. I have been in a Turkish private school for 4 years now and teach from 3rd grade all the way to 8th grade with around 24 students in a classroom. The school is expensive and these kids are really spoiled. Don't loose heart - there is hope. I tried a lot of things but I learned that lesson planning is critical with kids who don't want to learn English. Especially with the younger kids I usually change activities every 10 to 15 minutes. I have come up with my own moto that "a bored kid is a naughty kid". Don't let the kids sit with their friends. They can be with their friends on the breaks. I have found that competition works great as the other teachers have mentioned and that both positive and negative reinforcement is necessary in the classroom. Make sure if you say you are going to do something, do it. The kids learn quickly if your words are empty or if you mean to do what you really say. Hope that helps.