Yeah have them do some math problems.....also they can do a report on one of the mathematicians. That was always a fun lesson!

99Silva is right, math is interesting to Chinese students. I did a short lesson on Roman numerals and they enjoyed figuring out math problems with them, as well as translating the dates and numbers. Anything that will get them involved and thinking. Or you could do some slideshows. 45 minutes is really not so bad, it's not too long, so they should stay fairly attentive...

PPT's and short videos.

Put up plenty of things to make them read out loud.

Pointless giving exercises or activities (Unless there's prizes involved). Competitive games only work.

  Yep, i've done it and I hope to never do it again, it brought out the absolute worst in me. The worst thing I remember was leaning over a student and howling in her face to behave herself. I hated myself for that but the pressure of a class of 50/60 teenagers can be a lot to take.

Yes it's hell, that why God invented science and math. Or whoever invented it. 

I did a lesson on the capillary effect that was a big hit. 

By 'big hit' I mean two students were interested!

It's brutal. 

The most brutal point about is that nobody in the school give's a rat ass either. I did it a few years ago as I thought I needed the money. Never again. Never.

Well, I'm from America so I think i qualify. I also majored in Creative English and have a minor in business. My main job is teaching TOEFL and IELTS to students going abroad. Thanks for being a dick Marc. My father is American and my mother is Vietnamese born in America. I was just looking for advice on teaching middle school. Thanks for being a dick and from your previous posts I can tell that your English is shit and you can't find a job because you're also a fuck.

well for being a native, holding a toefl or whatover and even a major in Creative English your english skills suck, and just at least! You sounds like a retarded middle school boy just being mocked and wannabe cool.. 

What did I say that was wrong? Let's look at your past post:

" why i not find an english job?"

I don't think you're meant here. I don't think you're educated enough but I also think you're not very swift.

Derek stole my opening line.

It can be tough that's for sure. I can also relate to Martian's comment about how it brought out the worst in him. I have always considered myself to be a patient, tolerant kind of guy and could not believe I was reacting so strongly in these classes.

Still, for all that, Dharma86 is spot on. Using powerpoint well, using short videos,  good quality flashcards, the odd worksheet and he odd game is what works well for me. I never give rewards other than sincere praise.

The most important thing is your own temperament. You gotta be cool. Do not allow yourself to be rushed by the students. Do everything at your own pace and do not get flustered. This way when you do need to discipline (and you will) it is done in a very detached way. You then carry on at your own pace once more as if the disciplining did not effect you in the slightest. Working this way, ultimately you will get their respect. Then middle school teaching becomes quite rewarding.

Best of luck dude.

Don't worry. Two weeks isn't long...I have done my time teaching kids who have no interest in improving their English abilities.

i feel sorry for all the kids here that are forced to learn English. Probably 99% of them will never use this ability, and most don't learn this ability well anyway.

  Your normal job of teaching students preparing to leave China for overseas study  should attract the more motivated students...I dare say that most foreigners living here for over one year (or from day one) have had some really crappy teaching experiences, and wish that experience was limited to two weeks!!! If you can avoid it happening again,that  would be good for you. As a long termer here of over 10 years now, i started to get better skilled at finding jobs that rewarded me better. Finally I found a good partner, formed a small business, bought an apartment, and have been basically self employed here for  past 3-4 years now.

If your students are high school or older they will enjoy talking about, or even debating topics which they are interested in like, love,, marriage, and qualities of a good man/woman..travel, .. Well, maybe a few of them would participate..

.How about writing a Topic on blackboard, and ask for a comment from every student..(limit their reply to one sentence of over about 6 words minimum) You write on blackboard the 50-60 responses...they will all think its funny., and their responses will be funny...after you have all responses, all the class must read out loud together  all the responses...class over.. 45 minutes.

If you just want a game, a moderately interested class can enjoy a game modified from "pictionary."One selected person acts out a doing some action..eg. riding a bicycle...not so easy to act that one out..the lucky correct guesser gets to act out the next (pre prepared by you) "situation."

I have taught at middle schools for three years now.  In the beginning it was pretty bad, but once you get the hang of it- not so bad.

You will only be there two weeks, so curiosity will be the major fuel for them paying initial attention to you.

Speak slowly and use the simplest words you know.  Change subjects every ten to fifteen minutes.  I use three things: I teach them what to say (How to ask for help), I give them a topic to talk about, and last a culture lesson.

I will give you some ideas here: Compare school in China to high school in the USA.  Do a short lecture and then do a comparison by using a Venn Diagram.  Do some more comparisons, English and Chinese, KFC and Da Niang Dumpling, CBA and NBA, Kobe and Lebron, this lesson is great.

Divide every students into 3- A,B,C, and have one be an Chinese person, another a translator, and a third a foreigner. Have them haggle for a better price at clothing store, or ordering food at KFC etc.

Do a little debate between groups of four.  Have one question: Is the Gao Kao a good method to select students for university.  Yes or no, flip a coin and assign which side they will argue.

You will not get total cooperation, some students will just sulk or roll their eyes.  Let them stew in their own juices and don't take it personally.  When I have a student be completely uncooperative, I ask them to do homework or sleep.  If you have classes that are completely disrespectful, have the head teacher handle the discipline once you leave.  P.M. me if you need some more ideas.

After you know what you are doing in middle school, it's not so bad.  If you need more help, send me a p.m. and I will give you more ideas.