The Best Classroom Management Techniques to Use
Classroom management is the most crucial aspect of facilitating education. With no classroom management the class does not know what to do and becomes chaotic. With encompassing and nuanced management the class will run as efficiently as possible.
Table of Contents
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Dirk K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Starting from scratch
Classroom management starts on day one. Educators utilize it to learn about their students' needs, interests, and personalities. There are numerous ways to go about doing this, a simple 'ice-breaker' search on the internet will yield many results. By the end of the first lesson each individual in the classroom should introduce themselves and share something about themselves. Other things to consider are determining student academic desires and their fluency level.
Also Read: Classroom Management You Definitely Need to Try
Teacher's attitude
Of utmost importance is the instructors demeanor. A friendly, relaxed, and warm demeanor suits teachers well. Good eye contact serves to this end and direction of a teachers' sight can facilitate classroom flow. It is important to monitor the entire class to make sure everyone is participating and to give everyone equal attention. Gestures can be used to facilitate classroom flow as well. Gestures need to be consistent, established, understood, and clearly visible. A voice audible to all with clear pronunciation is paramount.
Grouping
Student groupings greatly impact instruction. Students can work individually, in small or large groups, or as a whole class. Keep in mind it is a good idea to allow students the most opportunities to talk when possible. The arrangement of the class can capitalize on different groupings. Students can be seated individually, in small groups, in a horseshoe, or any number of ways. Each way has its pros and cons, and often multiple groupings are used in a single lesson correlative to different activities.
Also Read: 7 Key Actions Parents Can Do to Help Their Children Learn English
Preparing for work
Solid classroom management requires good instruction which requires solid preparation. Primarily students need to be utilized to create a clear objective. A lesson plan needs to be developed considering: activities, including engage, study, and activate components, timing, and consideration of any difficulties that may arise. The lesson plan should be kept handy for reference during the lesson if needed. There are numerous teaching aids that can be used to facilitate instruction. These should be checked before the lesson. Teaching aids should be used in a way in which they are accessible to all students.
Instructions
How instructions are administered can affect the flow of the classroom. The first step in giving instructions is attracting everyone's attention. Instructions should be given verbally using simple language used consistently. Gestures may be used as an aid to verbal instructions. Again these should be consistent and visible. Instructions may also be written on the board and/or worksheets. Students should understand the instructions; this may be checked by asking them to repeat the instructions, or by asking them if they have any questions. Students should be monitored to see if they are following the instructions.
Misbehavior can seriously distract a classroom. To avoid misbehavior classroom expectations need to be established and understood. If expectations are broken, they need to be consistently addressed immediately in the least intrusive calm, non-confrontational manner. This may be eye contact, proximity, or calling the students name and/or giving a redirection. It may require having a private conversation with the student or changing the students seat.
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The management of a classroom requires preparation, constant vigilance, and reflection. Superior classroom management results in an enjoyable atmosphere and ultimately student learning.
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