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Q: Discipline and punishments
I teach at a primary school in Chengdu, and I have come across some situations that make me seriously question China's education system, and how discipline, and punishments are handled. For instance. I have a Chinese English teacher friend, and she is the headmaster of a class. There is one student who gives her trouble all the time. Stealing things from students, Harassing other students, (Hitting, breaking their things, and more like this). And all the punishment she has tried to give him has failed, he simply doesn't care. His father was a thief, and is in prison for this, so there is obviously reasons for his behaviours. But there is nothing that the teachers, or the school can do about it. Last week she had a breakdown from stress, and told his grandmother that she wanted him to stay home for a week, and the grandmother threatened to take her to the education board. (The grandmother comes to the school to help take care of the troubled child.)
When I first came here I was very disturbed by how the teachers treat their students. That is, manipulating their emotions to elicit a desired response. But after lengthened exposure to the system, I have begun to understand that their manipulation is rooted in necessity as much as laziness. The teachers are given no power, and even their superiors aren't provided with proper tools to deal with children's bad behaviors. Most students can be dealt with through their parents, but when you get the case of a troubled child with dad problems, and a mother that doesn't care anymore, then it's left to the teacher to deal with it.
I used to think that it was terrible when a teacher would give their student a cuff across the head, or some small physical punishment. But in reality, I think the physical punishment has much less damaging affects than the psychological manipulation some teachers use.
I mostly teach two grade 6 classes, and one of them is about 80% boys, and discipline is somewhat of a problem in the class. I have fights break out regularly (On average one every other class). If the students aren't too involved with each other, when I yell or start walking towards them, they will break up, but often it doesn't matter what I say or do, and they will keep going at it until I pull them apart.
So, my question is, have you run into any similar problems in the classroom? Do you know any effective ways of disciplining students?
8 years 19 weeks ago in Teaching & Learning - China
Isn't this a book by Foucault.?
rasklnik:
No...that's CRIME and Punishment or Prectiupleniya i Nakazhaniya
Shining_brow:
Sorry - my bad! I didn't know of the Foucault book, and thought it was a mis-name.
Is there a way how to cultivate that thing?If you have one problem student, kick him out. Your school will whine and say that it is not allowed, but you are, at the end of the day, able to teach your class without his interference. It is not even a reward for bad behavior...I would not want to be him when the school disciplinarians find him.
As for the other class--names on the board tends to work. As does having something exciting planned for the end of clSs(but only if they are good).
sorrel:
That is what i did with one troublesome student: I kicked him out.
The school whined for a while, but using the magic of logic i pointed out one unhappy parent was outweighed by all the other unhappy parents whose children had their teaching time disrupted by the necessity of having to deal with one little s*** so often.
In a class-room you have to have a measured approach to discipline.
Children can spot a push-over from a mile off and will exploit any weakness.
Likewise if you are fair but tough, you will be able to do your job.
They must like you!
That's all you need to be effective in Primary classroom.
rasklnik:
Once again, Icniff wows the world with his deep grasp of teaching methodology and child psychology. Yes. I'm being mean. I still don't understand how you have a job sometimes...
icnif77:
Teaching the World? It's an open thread/website, so how am I teaching the world with all Internet restrictions in China?
I have job in China all the time, and nobody is asking you 'should I still have a job'. BuTT....you wish they would.....
When I showed up for the class in Grade 3-6, kids were screaming..... You can't achieve that with all your proper Englo words, and ''am an 'merican'' written on your forehead. You need a heart.
You're being mean, are you?
icnif77:
I can't say it in detail how I can do it. I find teaching job easier, if students like you. When you're likeable, little babies will act as vacuum with new English words, and if they are afraid of you, they'll cry.
I taught kids in Xinjiang how to make paper plane and boat in our first class with Principal present during the 'lesson'.
Mentally challenged kids in China are required to attend Primary school till grade 3, mixed in the same class with other kids. I usually started class from the chair near such student, and he/she was my best buddy.
I guess, I'm just gifted to manage kids, and I can't explain it how I do that.
I start class with every grade in China with presumption students hate new language, and try to make them like English through 'nice approach'.
Can't describe it. I just do it.
Principal in Middle school in Jixian: 'I like to walk with you through the school's corridors, because I like to see how students respect you. When students like their teacher, they will learn subject better.'
Isn't this a book by Foucault.?
rasklnik:
No...that's CRIME and Punishment or Prectiupleniya i Nakazhaniya
Shining_brow:
Sorry - my bad! I didn't know of the Foucault book, and thought it was a mis-name.
CB - how long have you been in China? You've already picked up a few bits of Chinglish!
Scandinavian:
I think CB comes from a Canadian Chinatown... or is French-Canadian with Chinese roots. Or is just Chinese.
If you want to take charge of a class then you have to be the boss from the start. Don't smile for the first two weeks. It's easy to step forward and be a kids best bud but it's hard to step back and create distance. Familiarity breeds contempt. Give the kid a "code red". Punish the whole class for his stupidity, sooner or later one of the bigger kids will physically punish him for you. Shame, humiliation, peer pressure, and conformity are all valuable weapons in a teacher's behaviour management arsenal. Never forget that you are cooler, more intelligent and most importantly of all bigger (hopefully) than your troublesome students. Use proximal behaviour modification such as making him sit at a little baby chair in front of your desk or by surrounding him with girls. Be inventive.
Canadaboy22:
Wow, someone actually posted some relative and useful information. Thanks ^^
rasklnik:
I have to agree with this...You shouldn't be a drill master, but you do not to make your displeasure clear...It is far to common in China to think the Foreign Teacher is an Idiot...and the students give you no respect. Look good.
-Icniff teacher little kids, which is far closer to baby sitting and playing than teaching. It is still a job, but it isn't like making a 16 year old do his English Literature at a "international" school.
icnif77:
@rask: 'Why in the world I would challenged myself (if I could) to teach highest level of English, if I can pass-by with job in Primaries just by correcting pronunciation?
Beside that, I really enjoy working with kids. Don't have anything to do with baby-sitting. You're using it as an excuse. Every class in kindies has Chinese baby-sitter in, and English progress required plan. They have to keep an open eye for all child molesters around, beside tending 'niau-niau'.
You must be gifted to cook good meal, same is as working with kids. You can't learn that, however literature or any other subject you studied in your Uni, and suddenly you're the same as your Uni Literature lecturer. I wonder what he/she would say for your literature teaching plan in China.
I'm having your salary with some 20 classes per week, teaching Oral in High School and TOEFL in Training mill part-time doing real teaching, not pretending as you do, unless you're holding Literature teaching degree.
Now maybe I would accept such challenge, but I don't qualify to work in International school as Non. In real, for me the biggest challenge in teaching-English-world was working with mentally disabled kids. Try that once, no final exams required.
1. Classroom management skills must be enacted by the teacher and adhered to
2. Respect and honor for the teacher must be gained by the students
3. Maintain a rewards/penalty system that the kids can get excited about
4. Keep your composure and do not show fear or reluctance
5. Move problem kids and low achievers to the middle of the classroom. They will begin to copy the behaviors of those around them.
6. Develop a penalty corner that allows them to lose face.
7. Pray to God...if you have a faith in one.
