[Jurubeba]

Well, I had the same problem last year with one student. Though she was only eleven, she could call everyone's attention, and wouldn't let me explain the subjects and stuff.
I think the best solution ever i to talk to the person first. I called her apart and told her the importance of learning Englih in today's world, a little bit of the effort that I made to prepare a nice class, and told her she was wasting not only the opportunity of learning English early, but also her mother's money. Then I asked her what she expected from the classes, what I could do for her, if she wanted to talk about sth. She kind of got it, and started trying to participate and doing all her late homework. Of course she hasn't changed overnight, but day after day I learned how to work with her.
Parents sometimes don't know how to make their children do sth important for themselves, and make them hate what they're forced into. It's up to us to change their mind. How to do that? I think each person has his/her own way. Anyway, good luck for you! I hope I helped.

[sobek]

Quote Jurubeba

told her she was wasting not only the opportunity of learning English early, but also her mother's money.

this is a good way and ive tried it before. i made the student aware that he/she was wasting the parents money and that the parent wouldnt be pleased.
if also you could make the parent aware of the problems you are facing during your class.

However, those ideas are "destructive" and may not help to motivate the student and may even reverse his/her motivation to learn.

Perhaps you could find out what the trouble students interests are and work on that.

You could also try a reward system. Rewards for good behavior and concentration in class could be rewarded with sweets or other small things the students would like.

may i ask what kind of school you work in?

[alycefleming]

Hi everyone!!

I faced the same dilemma with a group of 60 odd grade 4 & 5 students in Shanghai...

Alot of the kids in the class have had enough experience with a forign teacher to understand what I am trying to explain... but they simply don't want to learn.

I think alot of this attitude comes from my previous teachers... they obviously didn't motivate the students at all and didn't take time to show the kids that English is important and doesn't have to be a drag!

I think motiviation is the key to stopping disruptive students! Alot of kids in my school don't understand that even if they don't want to learn... there are 29 other students in the class that may want too!

I agree with the previous comments.... let the kids know they are wasting their parents money (i wouldnt threaten to call parents etc as this automatically breaks their trust and often parents will make the situation worse by threatening more and more!)

and also try to talk to the problem students and find out their interests or what they want to learn about! I found this very helpful with my younger kids... I was teaching them about rainbows and then one day realised they were all soccer freaks! So even though the topics have changed.. they are talking more and more to me about football etc! We need to make classes as relevant as possible (without veering too much off the track) to keep kids interested and eager to learn new things!

I also refuse to spend my entire lesson concentrating on disciplining problem students.... I concentrate as much as possible on the kids that want to learn.... they will in the end get more out of the classes than those who don't and often there is nothing more i can do than teach to those who want to be taught! You can't force someone to learn if they truly don't want too.. you can only try!

Goodluck with your problem class!

[missdolly]

Quote sobek

You could also try a reward system. Rewards for good behavior and concentration in class could be rewarded with sweets or other small things the students would like.

may i ask what kind of school you work in?

It is their duty to study. I am totally against rewarding anyone for doing their duty.

[sumade]

I agree with you Jurubeba. It really works. You just have to talk with the student again and again. I try to make it this way. Of course sometimes it looks like I've never talked to them. So I let him/her remember that he/she is special with a special chance to learn. I don't want to be a disciplinarian; the student has to discipline him/herself. And I know that he/she can do this. So learning will be funny and not boring... And we should be problem solvers. At least I tell him/her that I trust/like him/her. Because every student is special to me, I want to prepare them for life because I care about their future.

But of course, I have to talk to them from time to time; again and again and again. But until today I never let their parents know.