[Hellosir]

Well

Quote kellytrainer

Hi, Hello

Boy do I know how you feel. I have 9 years teaching experience in Italy, and some classes can be just so challenging. I won't even go in to the particular torment I've been through but suffice it to say "I've been there."

First, you must know that the problem is not you or your teaching abilities. Sometimes it helps to hear that from another teacher.

I have a few questions for you.

1) What is the end-result of this course?(ie what does the administration expect from you?)

Nothing to be honest, just that I teach something that will improve their spoken English and give them a test at the end of semester. their department basically does not monitor what I do.

2) Are there any "interest trends" in the class? (ie can you build your lessons around themes that interest this group specifically?)

Superstars were quite popular. The main thing they want to learn about is "foreign culture" but that is so vague.

3) Have you got internet access in class?

No computer, no internet. Just a blackboard

[Hellosir]

The thing is the students claim to "love" my lesson apparently, they did a teacher satisfaction survey last semester and out of 30+ students I got an overall rating of 97% (apparently most teachers get 70% and anything above 90% means supposidly means you're too soft) and after class they will say how much they enjoy my lessons, but I just never see the enjoyment when I'm teaching.

I'm thinking it could be down to the fact I'm used to big classes of 40-50, where drama/jokes/ have a bigger impact simply because there are more people. The only other class I have with so few students is Business English, and all those students have a really high level, so it could be down to the fact a) few students b) the 10/24 students I taught last year dampen the mood that the other 14/24 cant really shrug off.

Just to add to the confusion this is a women's college so 95%+ of the students are female.