[mary1]

Can anyone help me, I´m teaching a group of 14/15 year olds in Spain and not having any fun. I´ve always enjoyed teaching teenagers but this group is a nightmare. The majority just speak in Spanish all the time, they don´t listen, and I can´t get them to do anything. Their attention span is of about 5 minutes, so I have to keep changing activities every 5 minutes. I feel like crying when I finish this class. I´ve tried talking to them, doing things they are interested in, etc... but nothing works.... Can anyone help.......

Thanks

[Trix]

Do they actually want to be there or are they being forced to come? Are they "good" kids who just don't have any english or are they just really uninterested? For my teenagers who speak too much of their native tongue in class I had to start a "no (native language) time" rule. I used this primarily in the 'study' portion of the class and gave them some more freedom when it came time to learning games or free conversation. Basically I kept a score sheet and they lost or gained points if they spoke their native language. (and if their friend tells on them the friend who tells gets a bonus) It worked really well and I used the points to either give them more homework, give them a head start in a game etc whatever you want.
Just an idea

[paddyfrog]

I teach 11-15 yr olds in France and the 14-15 ones are the least interested for a variety of reasons (need to look into teen psychology there). Motivation is the big factor. I assume, as in my case, it's a state school situation with English as a compulsory part of the timetable. If this is the case, being firm (but gentle of course) is the first thing. You can't have pupils coming out of maths with a strict teacher and then expect them to spontaneously flourish in EFL. You may also be using a text book which may or may not be of any use. Make your own material if so. I did the US elections (although it's a bit late now) but you can still do inauguration day (research, web quests, information gap, writing biographies...) or anything topical really... If you have to mark them for their report card, tell them they will get points for not speaking Spanish, for using 'classroom English', for participation in oral activities and even for good behavior if they're really bad. Also, never start a lesson if there's any noise and never raise your voice. Remember, you're the adult. Yes, you can!... Now who said that?