by Nina Koptyug

How often do you experience discipline

problems in your class?

What are the main causes of these

problems? (factors you can/can’t
control)

What solutions do you have?

Identifying the causes
For every person wishing to teach, there are
thirty people not wishing to be taught.
(anonymous)
• Ss come to our class with a certain state of
mind (good/bad mood)
• Ss’ inability to cope with the tasks (the
noisiest Ss will demonstrate their frustration
by loud outbursts, disruptive behaviour)
Identifying the ringleader(s)
• Watch the class carefully to see if
indeed you are dealing with the
same student(s) every time
• Follow your general plan, but be
prepared with an extra task for the
ringleader
Varying the traditional tasks
• Inability to cope with one of the skills (one
class may be good at speaking, but have
trouble listening; one class may like to write
and dislike pair/group work)- introduce some
variety
Increasing motivation
• Praise them for any or every little success they
have
• Look for e-mail correspondence partners
• Offer creative tasks
• Explain the role of English in the modern
world
• Final exam
Establishing the priorities
• Before facing the problem class, do a little
auto-training: I am a good teacher. I know
what I am doing.
• If Ss don’t pay attention to the bell: begin the
lesson by writing something on the board, or
turn on the recorder at normal volume,
distribute some cards, open you book
It is normal for children to laugh at a lesson,
sometimes!

You are the boss. Be sure of yourself, and your

students will always feel it.