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Posts: 372

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Q: First day teaching, should I bribe the kids with candy?

I have my first class tonight. A group of Kindergartens. I want them to like me and not be afraid. Any ideas on how to do this or should I just bribe them with Chinese candy? lol

10 years 5 weeks ago in  Teaching & Learning - China

 
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Posts: 916

Shifu

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SMILE and do something funny on your first day to catch their attention. The use of candies should be a reward for them to do something you want them to do, like lining up, correct answer etc. If you just give candies without any effort from them they'll expect it every time and your paycheck will be hit.

WanderingTeacher:

True. Maybe I should walk into the classroom and fall down on purpose? haha I'm sure they'll all get a laugh out of that!

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I'm not a teacher but I would guess that candy + kindergartners = hyperactive kids bouncing off the walls. Not an ideal situation

WanderingTeacher:

I can handle hyperactivity. I use to tutor/babysit kids all the time. I just don't know how to handle Chinese kids because I know most of them are afraid of me because I look so different and I know how important it is that the kids like me because the last teacher they hated and 32 kids left our school last year because of her. If this were a class in the States, I wouldn't be worried at all. But Chinese kids, just like Chinese people in general, are a mystery to me.

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louischuahm:

The reverse is also true, that they find you a mystery. Find out who the "leader" is and get him on your side. The rest will follow suit and before long you'll have a room full of laughter and fun. Important thing is to make learning fun and they will want to come back every time. It'll help if you are able to find out why they hated the previous teacher and not do the things she did.

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BrendanE:

I think you'll be fine without candy. Most Chinese kids seem quite excited to have contact with a foreigner, give them a week and they'll have forgotten the old teacher.

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Mate, I've taught all ages from littlies like you'll have tonight through to adults.  I've never given candy/sweets/lollies to any of them.  If I was a parent of a child whose teacher was handing out stuff like that I'd be most unhappy.

The poor kids will already be regularly subjected to an inferior and unhealthy diet and they don't need for it to be supplemented by their new English teacher.

You could try a points system or a sticker.  Both work well with students up till about 10 or 12.

I suggest you just be yourself.  I've read many of your previous posts and you strike me as an organised and thorough person with a good personality.  Just do it your way.

Aim for the kids to be happy, promote laughter (even if it's directed at yourself!) and aim for them to learn something...anything.

How long are your classes?  Duration is an important consideration.

All the best for tonight!  Have you got a few cold beers in the fridge for when you get home?  My experience is you'll be hanging out for coldy or three!

 

 

WanderingTeacher:

Lol I suppose you are right. I really want to focus on them learning oral English. They can read and write pretty well but what good does that do if they can't speak it or understand it when it is spoken to them? My boss agrees with me as well and is giving me freedom to do what I think is best since the parents would prefer than the students learn oral english as well.

 

Unfortunately, most of the kids are sick for some reason and won't be able to come tonight, so class has been canceled and will resume on Saturday morning. Each class level is a total of 1 hour and 30mins broken up into two 40minute classes with a 10 minute break between them. Also, I have given up beer for the time being. I was drinking way too much over the past couple of weeks and decided to start jogging again instead. Not gonna lie though, I do miss that cold snap of Tsingtao beer lol.

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Some parents are paranoid about food safety, due to real concerns about Chinese food products. If you casually give out candy, some parents might find the situation unsafe, and either complain or withdraw their kid from class. Many schools won't allow it. I've done it before, and the kids love you for it. Some parents will tolerate it. But it creates an expectation. Kids have yet to learn gratitude to moderate thier desires. If you go the candy route, make sure it's perceived as an occasional treat, not a daily guarantee. Also, work out an orderly hand out system *after* the lesson is over, or the first overeager kid will swipe a handful of candy from you with full force, dropping the rest of it on the floor. It creates a lot of grief & disappointment rather than happiness.

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talk gentle ,act gentle ,be cute as well!

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The best thing you can do is just make them laugh, teach them in fun interactive ways... not the boring old traditional Chinese ways...

 

and play with them... but while they learn. 

 

Chinese kids don't get to play NEARLY enough. Like if you are going to teach animals, make them act it out... like dog, then they have to bark or something... they love that stuff...  

 

 

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Best off teaching them a art project that gets their interest . if you can get their attention they will love you

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Shifu

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bring a ball and you won

they definitly like to throw things at you, especially if they can hit your face. so bring a very soft ball and make sure windows are closed and nothing there that can break

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If you really get board teach them to whistle , that is always a great Ice breaker  moorrrr hawww haaaw

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10 years 5 weeks ago
 
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No candy or food, parents hate it and they are paying the money.  You are gonna have to find a fair and consistent reward system of some kind though or else be funny as hell.  Good luck. 

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No candy or food, parents hate it and they are paying the money.  You are gonna have to find a fair and consistent reward system of some kind though or else be funny as hell.  Good luck. 

ironman510:

Agreed

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I don't candy is such a good idea...

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10 years 5 weeks ago
 
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I've met all 4 sets of students and just finished teaching the last one about an hour. They all really like me apparently and think I'm funny. Some of the parents audited the class for like 5 minutes and some liked me so much they called their friends and told them to come to the school and we signed their kids up for classes too. Phew! Now I feel better. If I was still drinking, I'd celebrate with a beer right now. Instead I'll opt for a big bowl of shui jiao and Netflix! Woop! Thanks everyone for your tips!

sorrel:

hope it continues well for you wink

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philbravery:

Good on you mate congrats

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My Uni students are always demanding chocolate.

They were even contacting me at home reminding me to bring some back. 

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10 years 5 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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I never give candy to the kids, go for stickers instead!

 

 

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10 years 5 weeks ago
 
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No because you'll have to feed them candy for ever after that. Candy is for special occasions like last day of term. 

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10 years 5 weeks ago
 
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