[Eric]

i have a few large university classes. if you are familiar with korean universities you probably know that it is hard to flunk a student so using that as leverage is difficult. how do you go about managing/controlling and discipling loud/unruly large classes? need help by monday

eric

[fishead soup]

First you would have to make some rules and set them down the first day.

You also have to keep their attension so the activities should be interesting.

[Eric]

my activities are fairly interesting but i havent laid down the rules. i need to do that.

[fishead soup]

One thing you should avoid is having your class develop a drop in center attitude.This happens when you get a lot of latecomers. In the past I used to have this. Its impossible to do a good job when everyone is arriving at different times. Sometimes your students will come up to you with all kinds of excuses why they can't come. Don't be fooled by their laid back attitude. Some of them are very two faced. They'll come up to you and cry that they can't attend your class and then talk behind your back to the administration. Be tough and don't take any****. If you lay down the law they will respect you.

[Eric]

yeah, coming in late is a major problem. given this is my first semester at this school i am just getting the feel for how things work. at the start of next semester i'm laying down the law!

thanks for your suggestions. they are very helpful!

eric

[fishead soup]

Quote Oreamnos

yeah, coming in late is a major problem. given this is my first semester at this school i am just getting the feel for how things work. at the start of next semester i'm laying down the law!

thanks for your suggestions. they are very helpful!

eric

Isn't it strange how some students will come late on the first day. I remember seeing a great quote about that in a movie about a teacher who tried to get his students to find ten people and help them. I forget the title of the movie but he makes a great quote about showing up on the first day late is the ultimate sign of disrespect. I studied sculpture in University under a teacher who was in the Korean war. If you showed up late he had this bad *** nasty stare he'd give you. It really worked becouse most people came on time. He only had to do it once.

[Eric]

very helpful. this semester i started the nb, nwb, etc... notes. that has made a difference. i like the photo idea, though, as it took me nearly 2 semesters to learn names. once you know names you really gain a lot more control of the class.

appreciate the help!

eric

[skinsk]

Other clues to look for: names on books (though students sometimes "share" with students in other classes, so check yer role), jewelry, phones, books for other classes that they have out (for shame!). . . sometimes I just ask, but it doesn't match the flabergasted look they have if I come right out and ask them by name. . . also, some actually fill in their workbook excercises with their names (or a partners). . . and they "think" I just remember. . . and after a while, I do (sometimes). If a student, say, leaves for a 20 minute bathroom break (and I do try to catch them if they take their cell phone to the bathroom), I usually ask the kid next to them if I don't find the name thumbing through their English book. . . word gets back, and it can be done very subtly, without disrupting the class or humiliating the student. . . my role code for that is "20 minute bathroom break" (takes a few of those attendance blocks) or "bailed" if they don't come back until 5 minutes before class ends. On the other hand, little +s appear on my role about week 3, and soon students learn that I also notice them WORKING! These figure in a + .5 to 1 point on their final grade! I try for 2/1 positive comments (using names) and try to be fairly discreet with the negs. . . the word gets out, without you having to announce who is NOT doing what to the entire class.

[Globe Runner]

How about locking the door? Once the class starts if you are not there then you will miss the class or make them pay a penatly for arriving late. For example reading or doing a skit or something in front of the class. Korean students are quite shy and hate to do things that will embarass themselves in front of their classmates

NIck Dauphinee
Study in Canada
www.globerunner.ca

P.S> If any of your students ask you about studying abroad please refer them to my website. We have partnered with a company in Seoul where they can go to get more information as well

Thanks