Transcript Student Motivation and Management

Student Motivation and
Management
Skills and Development
Conference 2012
Arita Noriko and Jessica Millson
Who are we?
• Jess Millson
▫ From New Zealand
▫ NZ High School teacher for 3.5 years
▫ 2nd year HS ALT at Yatsushiro High School
• Arita Noriko
▫ From Hitoyoshi
▫ English teacher at Yatsushiro High School
Warm-up - P.M.I. (Plus, Minus, Interesting)
Discussion
In your groups, discuss and do a PMI for either:
1. Teaching English
or
2. Learning English
What are some
positive things about
teaching/learning
English?
Plus
What are
some
negative
things?
Minus
What are some
interesting
things?
Interesting
Sharing…
• Each group - please share something from your
discussions.
Management
• Teaching and learning is always best when you
have a foundation of good management.
• So classroom management is important….
Some management tips and techniques
• ALTs, follow your JTE’s lead
▫ It is their class and classroom
▫ They are experienced in teaching, the culture of the
school, Japanese culture, and the students.
• Ignoring
▫ Japanese style vs. Western style
▫ Sometimes bad behaviour is a request for attention
and will get worse if it is responded to.
• Proximity
▫ Standing close and quiet can (in some situations)
improve behaviour
More management tips…
• Eye contact
▫ “laser eyes”
• Gestures
▫ “shhh”, “I see you”, “No”
• Pausing…
• Names
• Humour?
▫ Students might just be trying to communicate but
not really know how
Always remember,
• Keep it positive – smile!
▫ Smiling is an unspoken communication
▫ Makes you seem approachable
• Maintain relationships
• Never show frustration
▫ Sometimes students can be looking for a response
from you, if you give it to them, they win.
▫ You’ll lose respect.
Prevention is the best medicine
If students are bored, confused or can’t do
something, then this is when they may misbehave.
So….
• Give simple, clear instructions
▫ So students know what they’re doing and how to do it
• Work at appropriate level
▫ Too easy = misbehave because they’re bored
▫ Too difficult = misbehave because they can’t do
it/dispirited
• Timing – give a time limit before starting
▫ Too long = misbehaving
▫ Regular reminders keep them on track
Make it fun and interesting!
• Bored = naughty/sleepy/no motivation
• If students are active and enjoying what they are
doing, then they are likely to behave well.
Lessons where the students are active =
student-centred lessons
Teacher-centred
activities
(how much
you
remember)
Studentcentred
activities
Making it interesting - ideas…
• Communication activities
▫ Eg, Describe something (famous person, picture,
etc) in pairs – one guesses
▫ Talk about the weekend in pairs
▫ Interviews
• Janken – practice English/Japanese translations
in pairs
• Novelty – mini whiteboards, multimedia,
pictures, pair work, group work, warm up
activities/games
• Hot potato, bus stop, post box activities
Motivation Discussion
Hot potato activity
1. Please make 7 groups
2. Each group will be given a piece of paper with
a question
3. Brainstorm – everyone can write
4. After a few minutes, pass your paper to the
next group and receive the next paper
5. Read the previous ideas and add your own
thoughts
6. And so on and so on….
Hot Potato Questions
1. What made you (JTEs and ALTs) interested in
learning a foreign language?
2. Why do you think it’s important to learn English?
3. What do you think is interesting for students
about Western cultures?
4. What helps students become more interested in
learning English?
5. What helps students to pay attention in class?
6. What kinds of activities do your students like?
7. What was your foreign language education
experience? (eg, Did you learn Japanese in
Japanese?)
Sharing…
• Please choose the best 2 or 3 answers from your
paper
• One person in your group will share your
question and best answers with everyone
• Please use a big voice
Conclusions…
• Fun and interesting lessons will reduce the need for
management
• It will also increase students’ motivation.
• Fun and interesting lessons need a supportive
environment
▫ Laughing at other’s mistakes is not ok
▫ Mistakes are good – that’s how we learn best
• “You are your own best resource!”
▫ Genki/positive teacher = genki/positive students (and vice
versa)
▫ If you are tired and overworked, then you will forget stuff,
be more impatient, there will be more problems and your
productivity will fall.
▫ Take care of yourself! Stay rested and healthy and
cheerful 
Any questions?