Given that most of the students are in their 20s, it's kind of sad that they behave like bratty 7th graders. I will confess my love for them--they're hilarious, responsive, and full of energy. They also love talking--talking when I'm talking, talking when other students are speaking English, talking when writing, talking on the phone, talking during exams...the list goes on.
I can't get them to shut up for more than 20 seconds! I've tried threatening them, sending them home, shouting them down, making them write essays, and separating them. The problems with these strategies are 1) they usually make me laugh, 2) writing just gives them more ideas to talk about, and 3) everyone enjoys everyone else's company, so moving them around only excites them further.
For weeks, I've been threatening to walk out, and today I finally had to. There is just no repressing them! It's so frustrating! If they don't want to behave like students, I have no business behaving like their teacher.
It's also kind of sad, when there are so many kids in this country who would die to get an education here--but can't afford to. Meanwhile, I'm busting my butt trying to silence self-indulgent brats whose Daddy paid their way in, and who would rather play on their iPhone and gab away about clothes than listen to me. Why? Because they never had to work for a damn thing in their life!
All I can say about it is, look around you ladies and gentlemen--Asia is rising, and kids like this are the future rulers of our world. And that is going to be a tough crowd to live with.
It feels like the worst nightmare for me, once I become a teacher like you. Oh my god...I'm still a student, but I hate bratty students already.
ReplyDeleteIt's sort of a worst nightmare for me, too, although I discovered that controlling little kids is a lot worse. I HATE it.
ReplyDeleteToday, when I came in to class, they were very solemn and subdued. I forced them to write like fifty English sentences all day...then didn't collect it. Boy were they annoyed!
hahahah! That's a good lesson!
ReplyDeleteThank for this trick :D
Here's another trick: I got a black notebook. I told them that each time I have to say their name, it will be written down inside it.
ReplyDeleteEvery three times their name appears in it, I subtract 10% on the exam.
It super-pissed off one of my students when I did it yesterday.
Whahaha...cool! I can sleep better knowing this! Lol...you're one serious teacher. Thumb-up*
ReplyDelete