Teach English in MachanghuZhen - Linyi Shi

Teaching is far more than instructing students and conveying information. It is a complex social interaction that a teacher is charged with guiding. The videos in Unit 10 provide a clear example of why classroom management is arguably over half the required parts of a successful lesson. Though the teacher is teaching the same information in both lessons, how he manages the class makes all the difference. Of all the components of classroom management, rapport and discipline can make all the difference. Rapport usually involves more positive relationships between student and teacher while discipline is usually viewed as more negative. As I will be teaching young learners (ages 3-12), I will focus on this group for discussing these two topics of classroom relationship management. Establishing rapport within the classrooms is important with young learners for several reasons. For the students, it makes them comfortable with each other, and most importantly, with the teacher. Rather than seeing the teacher as an imposing and foreign authority figure, they can see them as someone they not only respect but can also trust. If they are comfortable around their teacher and trust that they are there to help them learn, they will be more willing to really engage with the lesson, less afraid to make mistakes. Rapport between students is also important. Interacting with one another will be one of the main ways that students practice their English. They must be comfortable with one another to practice effectively without being nervous. Additionally, if they know about each other’s circumstances, there will be less need to establish background information and students can go directly to deeper and more substantive English conversations. For teachers, rapport is important because knowing your students helps you teach to that specific student(s), not just some hypothetical, non-descript student. When a teacher is able to establish rapport with a student and understand what interests them, what’s difficult for them, and what they already know, they can craft their lessons around their students. Rather than applying some static, cookie-cutter lesson plan that probably doesn’t fit the needs of their students, they can implement a dynamic set of lessons that is adaptable to their specific students and serves their learning objectives. While rapport is the softer side of classroom relationship management, discipline is the stricter side that must always complement it. Especially with child learners, who are generally more easily distracted and less aware of how to treat everyone with respect. Ensuring that students continue to see you as in charge is essential for their proper instruction. It is the teacher who guides their progress, and if students do not follow this guidance because they don’t think they have to, it will be extremely difficult for them to meet their learning objectives. Discipline also feeds into establishing rapport between students; when they are treated with respect by their peers and not worried that they will be made fun of, they can engage more fully with the lesson, less afraid to make mistakes. With children, discipline is tricky because there is a desire not to be seen as a “mean” teacher that intimidates the children, making the establishment of rapport more difficult. With children though, discipline should be clear, firm, consistent, and behavior-focused. The rules of the classroom should be clear to the students; they should never have to question whether a behavior is allowed or not. Of course, it is impossible to ensure that a situation never arises where it is unclear if a behavior is allowed or not, but it can be made less likely. Discipline should be consistently applied; every student should feel that they are being held to the same standards, and that there are no favorite students or times when the rules don’t apply. When actually disciplining a student, it should be firm but not intimidating, and focus on why the behavior is a problem, not the student. These two components are necessary for effective English teaching. Whether lessons are being given with high-tech tools or on a chalkboard, the simple fact of the matter is that a teacher who does not both understand their students and ensures they are comfortable with them while retaining respect within the classroom will not be successful. They are the foundation for any successful classroom experience.