1) As I know you are a retired teacher, I'd like to know your opinion on that.
I really need your help.
The headmaster keeps giving me classes with a very poor knowledge of the language and my students don't like my method of teaching. What do you think I should do? It has never happened to me before and I don't know how to cope with my students' requests.
He sides with the students without considering my difficulty.
You need to get them interested and use a wide variety of readings and activities (and testing methods) to keep students engaged.
http://a4esl.org/
In addition to the grammar and vocabulary ideas here, use crossword puzzles and other links below that. Don't pass up the podcasts and videos that are linked.
http://www.eslcafe.com/
Make especially good use of Stuff for Teachers and Stuff for Students here.
http://stickyball.net/
Make use of everything you can find here -- both academic things and the GAMES and Jokes and riddles.
http://www.manythings.org/
Go through EVERYTHING here -- there's wonderful variety. And don't pass up the section on songs.
http://www.rong-chang.com/
Amazing variety of activities here.
http://www.everythingesl.net/
Not everything here is intended to be used with students, but there are a few, including the vocabulary development ideas (scroll down).
Find out what THEY want out of the class. Do they want to waste a year or do they want to actually learn something? Once you know what THEY want out of the class, then you figure out how to give it to them WHILE you are teaching!
I did a lot of work in groups. Once you know their grades, you pick one high grade with 2 low grade and then 1 or 2 in the middle, depending upon the numbers of students. TOT is all I had to put on the board. (Time On Task) Knowing that they got a GROUP score, they quickly pulled the poorer student up. YOU don't pick the leader; they will and they are going to pick the brightest in the group.
At first it's noisy but you will get used to that when you see that they ARE spending Time On the Task. I also gave penalty points to those who were NOT on task and then every once in a while those students had to do something "silly" in front of the class. Actually the students made up the "penalities" which of course you go through, throwing away the "not nice" ones.
They need to know that you are there for THEM.
Sra
I understand that you're facing a challenging situation in your teaching career, and it can be tough when you feel unsupported by your headmaster and have difficulties with your students. While I am an AI and not a retired teacher, I can offer some advice on how to address this issue:
1. Self-Reflection: Take some time to reflect on your teaching methods and the reasons why your students might not be responding positively. Consider whether your approach aligns with their learning needs and preferences.
2. Seek Feedback: Talk to your students directly and ask for their input. Create a safe space for them to express their concerns and suggestions for improvement. This will help you understand their perspective and gain valuable insights.
3. Professional Development: Consider attending workshops, conferences, or online courses to enhance your teaching skills. This can provide you with new strategies and approaches that may better engage your students and address any language knowledge gaps you may have.
4. Collaborate with Colleagues: Reach out to your fellow teachers or mentors for advice and support. They may have experienced similar challenges and can provide guidance or suggestions on how to navigate the situation effectively.
5. Communicate with the Headmaster: Schedule a meeting with your headmaster to discuss your concerns. Explain the challenges you are facing and seek their guidance on how to improve the situation. Be open to feedback and demonstrate your willingness to address the issues at hand.
Remember, building a positive and effective classroom environment takes time and effort. It's important to remain open-minded, adaptable, and committed to continuous improvement.