I never fail to look through the Recruit section's articles in case they can be related to the way I deal with my students. This one is on how I can retain my students, as some do stop lessons with me and switch to going for lessons at a tuition centre.
1. Do my students dread my lessons? I try to make them more interesting. If they want to speak about something other than the lesson for the day, I am open to it, as it gives them a chance to train their oral skills. I do maintain certain boundaries though. I have discussed a little on shopping malls and fashion with my students. Some parents fail to understand my real intention and think that I am not teaching. Well, it's really their child's loss that they chose to stop lessons with me. Haha.
2. I try to be patient with my students and give them the benefit of the doubt. There may be real, unintentional reasons for their performance. When necessary, I advocate direct guidance in the fulfillment of their tasks, or send reminders to hand in their assignments. I try not to label them too quickly and motivate them to get rid of their weaknesses, by telling them of the consequences or rewarding them when they do improve. Yes, God has indeed blessed me by giving me students who do more than the minimum in their studies. :) I have a student asking me for more homework than I usually give. :))
3. I show appreciation to my students who show an improvement in their performance, by verbal affirmation or tangible rewards. I also share it with their parents. Besides verbally encouraging the students, I motivated some of them by treating them to a meal so that they will be spurred on to study harder. I do feel especially sympathetic towards my China students, as they are celebrating CNY away from home and also, they may feel inferior to their local counterparts in terms of academic excellence.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Flexibility in dealing with students
I usually try to reward my students when they do well in their subjects, or motivate them to go on trying when they lose confidence.
I buy stationery or their favourite item for them, but I am going to do it in a different way this time. I am going to treat them. I was inspired to do so when I saw a teacher with her students at Jumbo Seafood Restaurant. I am going to meet 3 of my students on Wednesday, to give them a treat. I know it will make a difference to them. :)
Flexibility is important in educating youths. We must cater to their needs with different methods, depending on their characters and preferences. Using the same method for different students may not be effective for all of them, and resources are wasted in the process.
I buy stationery or their favourite item for them, but I am going to do it in a different way this time. I am going to treat them. I was inspired to do so when I saw a teacher with her students at Jumbo Seafood Restaurant. I am going to meet 3 of my students on Wednesday, to give them a treat. I know it will make a difference to them. :)
Flexibility is important in educating youths. We must cater to their needs with different methods, depending on their characters and preferences. Using the same method for different students may not be effective for all of them, and resources are wasted in the process.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Teaching nuggets
These are some observations I have with regards to teaching:
1) We have to give chances to those who have blotched their earlier performances, so that they can redeem themselves. We may have to give them the benefit of the doubt at times and be gracious towards them too.
2) Technology is very useful in terms of English lessons. English is linked to general knowledge and I use my digital camera to take pictures in order to show my students what the world out there is like. I also give them my blog's URL so that they can learn more about current affairs as well as proper sentence structure. I email them examination tips nearer to their paper and converse with them via MSN on any queries they may have. I surf the Internet for stories or topics that are of interest to them, and then print the notes out for the lesson.
3) It is of no use sheltering the present generation from the facts of life, as they will still be exposed to it via dangerous means. They are different from the past batches of youths.
A case in point is sex education. Oftentimes we dread talking to them about it out of awkwardness but when we evade their curious questions, we may push them to search for their answers by exploring the topic through physical intimacy in a relationship. This creates social problems like unwanted pregnancies and STDs. I am fortunate to an avid reader, as my parents exposed me to it by giving me books to read. What about those who do not like to read?
When I mentioned lesbianism during a lesson, I was met with ignorant eyes. I chose to speak more about it instead of stopping short at the mere mention of it. This will give the impression that it is something that exists and will have to be exposed to someday. By concealing the true facts about it, curiosity is ignited and may be quenched using the wrong means. That would bring about a bigger problem. My method nips the problem in the bud.
1) We have to give chances to those who have blotched their earlier performances, so that they can redeem themselves. We may have to give them the benefit of the doubt at times and be gracious towards them too.
2) Technology is very useful in terms of English lessons. English is linked to general knowledge and I use my digital camera to take pictures in order to show my students what the world out there is like. I also give them my blog's URL so that they can learn more about current affairs as well as proper sentence structure. I email them examination tips nearer to their paper and converse with them via MSN on any queries they may have. I surf the Internet for stories or topics that are of interest to them, and then print the notes out for the lesson.
3) It is of no use sheltering the present generation from the facts of life, as they will still be exposed to it via dangerous means. They are different from the past batches of youths.
A case in point is sex education. Oftentimes we dread talking to them about it out of awkwardness but when we evade their curious questions, we may push them to search for their answers by exploring the topic through physical intimacy in a relationship. This creates social problems like unwanted pregnancies and STDs. I am fortunate to an avid reader, as my parents exposed me to it by giving me books to read. What about those who do not like to read?
When I mentioned lesbianism during a lesson, I was met with ignorant eyes. I chose to speak more about it instead of stopping short at the mere mention of it. This will give the impression that it is something that exists and will have to be exposed to someday. By concealing the true facts about it, curiosity is ignited and may be quenched using the wrong means. That would bring about a bigger problem. My method nips the problem in the bud.
Difficult to fathom
It is so strange how people who are in the same category as I cannot seem to think beyond themselves. Life is not easy, I admit that but sometimes we have to die to our own feelings and reach out to others. They clearly have needs to be fulfilled at the point in time, in order for the team to contribute effectively.
Also, their intensive knowledge puts them in the know about certain protocol that must be observed at certain times. Actually, even without such knowledge, the protocol must be observed. This lack of observance is an influence on others. I feel that the occupation we are in and the age we are compel us to be an example to the young. It is quite disappointing to note that sight I beheld.
Also, their intensive knowledge puts them in the know about certain protocol that must be observed at certain times. Actually, even without such knowledge, the protocol must be observed. This lack of observance is an influence on others. I feel that the occupation we are in and the age we are compel us to be an example to the young. It is quite disappointing to note that sight I beheld.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Nitty-gritty thoughts
It's ironic how we complain that others are insensitive to our feelings out of harmless teasing, but we do exactly the same to others. I wonder if it's a subconscious venting of what we endured from others. It turns me off especially when the topic is on something significant and passionate to me.
Also, we tend to focus on our own needs and forget others'. We insist on having ours met. When they aren't, we criticise the people involved so badly regardless of respect due to the people. We forget that everyone has experiences he can teach and inspire us with. We reclaim our rights but sometimes it is better to forgo them for the sake of harmony.
Our perceptions of people based on clashes of opinions with them can cause us to be permanently biased towards them. We choose not to be open to their goodness, their humanity and warmth. It is not an easy attitude to take indeed, but we can try. We tend to look at their achievements and overlook their true character, which is really the gem of a person.
We may know the same person for a long time but as he gets older, certain things about him change and we are unused to them. However, we know we can always go back to the tight bond we share over the years. On the contrary, some others change for the worse and it disappoints me. There is lack of support and understanding towards certain decisions and it still surfaces despite the passage of time. Lack of sensitivity is also shown in the criticism, to the extent that negative body language is exuded amidst silence.
Also, we tend to focus on our own needs and forget others'. We insist on having ours met. When they aren't, we criticise the people involved so badly regardless of respect due to the people. We forget that everyone has experiences he can teach and inspire us with. We reclaim our rights but sometimes it is better to forgo them for the sake of harmony.
Our perceptions of people based on clashes of opinions with them can cause us to be permanently biased towards them. We choose not to be open to their goodness, their humanity and warmth. It is not an easy attitude to take indeed, but we can try. We tend to look at their achievements and overlook their true character, which is really the gem of a person.
We may know the same person for a long time but as he gets older, certain things about him change and we are unused to them. However, we know we can always go back to the tight bond we share over the years. On the contrary, some others change for the worse and it disappoints me. There is lack of support and understanding towards certain decisions and it still surfaces despite the passage of time. Lack of sensitivity is also shown in the criticism, to the extent that negative body language is exuded amidst silence.
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