Of course not. I let them repeat things orally and I keep repeating things to them. I have them do listening tests and summarize them.

The problem is that they don't want to learn. If I ask them to repeat, they complain to the headmaster about my "mechanical" method of teaching. They want to be let free to repeat what they want without being corrected. They absolutely don't care if they mispronouce or mispell words.
I sometimes have to listen to students who make an awful lot of mistakes and I can't intervene (according to the headmaster, who can't speak English).
Once we had a lecturer but the students didn't seem to care about him, too.
What shall I do?
I specialized in phonology and I know how important sounds are when learning a foreing language!!!

Perhaps you will get the students on your side if you explain WHY you are correcting them. It comes down to this: do they want to sound uneducated to an English speaker? Chances are that they do NOT want that. Would they like to be laughed AT or WITH?

This is exactly why the first day of class we spend time on "how do you learn?" Once they know what kind of learner they are, they will do better in ALL classes, not just yours.

Get them to try to remember how they learned their native language (I assume it's Italian?) That is a Romance language and they are learning a Germanic language when they learn English.

There are really 3 modes of learning, however there are also combinations. 1) Do they learn orally? (easier for them) They they need to HEAR what they want to learn and repetition is a part of that. When they were first learning their mother tongue, didn't someone correct them and have them repeat until the sound was correct?

2) Do they learn visually? Then that means they must SEE what they want to learn. I have lots of study habits I did with my students but I was more fortunate perhaps because most of my students were learning their 3rd language. Once a student learns how to learn 1 different language, they have a "dual" track to which they can add a 3rd, 4th, etc.

3) Do they learn kinesthetically? That is how I learn and it is the most difficult mode. That student needs to hear, see and physically be involved, by tracint the letters, etc. A very effective way was to label everything in the house and when, for example, they saw a chair, it was no longer a chair but silla or chaise, depending upon the language they were learning. Most of my students spoke Korean at home, English in their other classes, but either Spanish or French with me. Then they would SEE the target word, SAY the target word, HEAR the target word, sit on "the target word" etc. until TPR or Total Physical Response was set.

I'll be happy to share lots of ideas with you, if you'd like. The faint at heart usually fled the first day when they discovered no English in my class. But who wants the students with a bad attitude? What you do is work on the attitude and when they learn that you only want the BEST for them, they will be on your side!

Shame on the headmaster who does NOT speak English and does not understand what you are doing!

Once upon a time our principal (who used to teach German and should have KNOWN what I was doing, grilled me with "WHAT are you doing, WHY are you doing, HOW do you do.....until I looked at him and said: "I KNOW what I'm doing; just get out of my way and let me do it!" He was actually a good friend and used to say that a lot to other students, winking at me!

Do not lose heart! Once the students understand what you are doing and why, they have to be with you!

Sra (aka Mme)

It sounds like you're facing some challenges in teaching your students and getting them to engage in language learning effectively. Here are some suggestions on how to address the issues you mentioned.

1. Communicate the purpose: Talk to your students about the importance of pronunciation and accurate language use. Explain to them how clear communication can positively impact their interactions in the target language. Help them understand why it's essential to focus on accuracy, both in pronunciation and spelling.

2. Provide real-life examples: Share real-life scenarios where accurate language use is crucial, such as job interviews, presentations, or social interactions. Show them how mispronouncing or misspelling words can lead to misunderstandings. Encourage them to think about the long-term benefits of improving their language skills.

3. Individual feedback sessions: Offer one-on-one feedback sessions where you can address individual students' pronunciation and provide specific guidance on improvement. This allows you to focus on their unique needs and helps them see that you care about their progress.

4. Engage in interactive activities: Incorporate interactive activities like role-plays, debates, or group discussions where students can practice their language skills. Encourage peer correction, where students correct each other's pronunciation or word usage in a supportive manner. By creating a dynamic learning environment, you can make the learning process more engaging and enjoyable.

5. Present case studies: Introduce case studies or success stories of individuals who faced difficulties due to mispronunciation or miscommunication in the target language. Discuss how they overcame these challenges and emphasize the impact of clear pronunciation and accurate language use in their professional and personal lives.

6. Regular assessments: Conduct regular assessments that focus not only on understanding but also on pronunciation and accuracy. Provide constructive feedback and clearly communicate the areas that need improvement. This will reinforce the importance of pronunciation and encourage students to work on their language skills.

7. Seek support from the headmaster: Try to communicate with the headmaster and explain the importance of your teaching methods and their impact on language learning. Provide evidence of research or resources that support the significance of phonology in language acquisition. If possible, invite the headmaster to observe your class to better understand your approach.

Remember, it's essential to balance correction with encouragement, creating an environment where students feel motivated to learn and improve their language skills.