I think it is safe to say that we all have bad days, and there are many memories that I have when teachers made my day worse, rather than better.
We are not responsible for other’s actions and events that happen before the student enters our classroom, but when a student is in our classroom, we have control over how the class will turn out. Everyone has different personalities, learning styles, and home lives, so it is important to create a warm atmosphere so even on our student’s worst days, they can still be successful. This is harder in a bigger class setting, but there are things you can do to make is better for students in larger groups as well.
We are human. We make mistakes. We cannot take back what we have done or what others have done to us. We can learn from our past.
As teachers, parents, and childcare providers, we are influencing our future by molding the minds of our students. We are teaching them how to behave and treat others. Therefore, setting a good example, and trying to remain as positive as possible, is important.
In this article, I am going to discuss how to look for signs of discouragement, and how we can provide more constructive and positive feedback to our students.
What Should I Look For?
1. Long Pauses
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Wait time is very important, but when is wait time too long?
I typically give me students about 3 – 5 seconds wait time. I stay silent for these few seconds to allow the student time to think, but once it reaches this time, I know that the student is having difficulty. This can be a sign of confusion, which can lead to discouraging the student. We should not wait one whole minute and just stare at the student. This is awkward and should never be done. Haha
Wait time is used to allow the student time to think, but if the student is distracted or not paying attention, then this can be a sign that they are already discouraged and have given up, or that there are behavioral issues that need to be addressed.
2. Facial expressions
Nonverbal cues are a great way to pick up whether your student understands you or not. This can be in the form of shaking their head, a raised eyebrow, their hands scratch their head. These are definite signs of confusion and this awareness of confusion can help you decide what your next step will be.
Below we will discuss some ways to deal with these signs when you see one.
3. Distractions
Have you ever had a student who is clearly distracted by something on their desk, or has their phone out and you can see it in their glasses, but they say they do not have it?
(This actually happened to me. Once I told the student I could see them playing with their phone in their glasses, they laughed and then put the phone away. Haha TEACHERS SEE EVERYTHING AND KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING BECAUSE WE WERE STUDENTS ONCE TOO. 0.0)
If you see the student is distracted, this could be for a number of reasons: they had a bad day, they are bored, they don’t like learning this subject, they think they already know this, so they don’t have to pay attention. If they are older, you can tell them to stop what they are doing and pay attention, but you should do it in a way that won’t embarrass them. I know you are frustrated and just want them to pay attention, but if they are younger students or teens, think back to how you were and remember to be a little sympathetic. Be aware of the difference in culture and family life. Also be aware that the expectations their parents have, may have been different from yours. So to optimize the learning environment for those students, try to understand who they are from the first meeting and adjust the class according to THEIR needs, not your comfort zone.
4. Eye contact
The last indicator of potential discouragement is a lack of eye contact from the student. This goes hand-in-hand with distraction. If the student is looking away or just sitting in front of you not saying anything, this is an indicator that your student may need some more from you. This is not saying that you are doing something wrong, this is saying that everyone needs something different from their teacher. They may need sympathy, or laughter, or a smile.
This brings us to the solutions! 😊
How can I help my student become more engaged and avoid discouragement?
1. Wait Time and Re-engage the Student:
If the student is starting to get discouraged, use their interests to recapture their attention. This could be using the reward system or a game to help you.
For Example:
You are trying to teach a sentence frame to the student. This sentence frame is a response to a question. Play a quick game of tic-tac-toe (or any game that the student enjoys), and now reintroduce the sentence frame written on the white board or a paper. Make it clear to the student that you will ask, and the need to answer by using TPR, pointing to the sentence frame, putting your hand to your ear. After they answer, they get to have a reward, like moving in tic-tac-toe. Repeat this so they are practicing this sentence, but also being engaged and answering your question with the correct sentence frame.
2. English Level
Knowing your student’s level is very important. If it is your first time seeing this student, use the class to observe their English level, energy level, motivation, stamina (how long they can focus), and their interests. You can ask questions to yourself:
What is this student doing behaviorally that I like?
Do they understand this material?
How often are they smiling and engaging with me?
Are they looking at the screen or jumping around?
Do they like to sing or listen?
This information is for your own sake, so observe, note the information in your brain, and use it the next time you see them. Or just remember it so you are aware of their behavioral patterns.
3. Encourage through Positivity
Being positive is as simple as smiling. A smile is inviting. It is warm and well received by almost every culture. I have yet to find a culture that does not love a good, warm smile. Even on days where I am feeling angry or frustrated, I still slap on a smile and it helps me, and the student, complete the class in a positive manner.
😊
You can see my other article about using humor in the classroom as well. It gives you reasons why you should use it and the benefits for your classrooms.
4. Feedback in Class
Tell your students what they are doing well, and what you expect of them. If they are younger and lack the language knowledge to understand you, then use gestures and facial expressions to help. When I had bigger groups of young children, I would often teach emotions during the first lesson. This way, if they were doing something I didn’t like or want them to do, I could show them that I am sad. This is the same for showing them I am happy and proud of them.
So, use your smiles, frowns, and hands to show them what you want.
If they do a great job, tell them! Give them a thumbs up! Give them a reward.
If they are older, tell them exactly what they did well, right after they do it.
5. Scaffolding
This is a big one. Scaffolding is when you take materials that you are teaching and make them easier or harder depending on the student’s level. After you have gauged the student’s English level, keep in mind that the student may need more or less assistance with the lessons.
Now hear is the fun part!
You have to find out which helping tools the student enjoys and will use with you. This could be using the white board, clapping the words out, writing the words, singing. Anything can be used as a tool to help your students learn.
For example:
If you have a student who is having trouble saying a compound word or a name, break this name into pieces, and show the student how to do this.
Butterfly -> Butt – er – fly
My birthday is in February:
birth - day
Feb – ru – ary
If you have a sentence, practice saying they sentence one word at a time and then work backwards.
Teacher: My
Student: My
Teacher: birthday
Student: birthday
Teacher: is
Student: is
Teacher: in
Student: in
Teacher: February
Student: February
Now go backwards or read the sentence up. 😊
That is it for today! I hope that this article was helpful, and you enjoyed the tips. Please subscribe to keep updated on new articles. Thank you! Bye . 😊