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Q: Why do students go to class and not participate?
It costs hundreds of RMB per class but some students don't seem to make any effort and have made little or no progress. Why keep coming? These kinds of students are from all age groups so their parents aren't making them do it.
12 years 17 weeks ago in Teaching & Learning - China
I've tried to ask them that. They figure they can passively absorb English "like a baby learns Chinese", without any real effort, just as long as they listen to English (as if toddlers never talk to their family members). I ask them why they don't just listen to talk radio, but their train of thought usually just kind of trails off at that point.
I tell them, it it's so easy, why doesn't everyone speak a hundred languages? They kind of just get angry.
I've stopped caring about my lazy students. If they can't be bothered, then I can't either. They're grown up. If they don't want to be reasonable that's their problem.
Could it be the simple fear of "losing face" in front of classmates? This stigma is real to them and a tough one to crack in the classroom sometimes
kchur:
Nah, my school does about 50% private classes and I still get that from some students. Trying to talk to a rock for an hour is pretty unpleasant.
They probably think they can learn a language just by listening. I suppose it can improve their listening skills (if they even understand you, which I tend to "talk too fast" for some of them to understand). However, I guess they don't understand that language learning doesn't reach it's full potential unless they use all four skills. Speaking is very important, especially for proper pronunciation. The excuse they give is that they are too shy, or they don't know how to say what they want in English. I've tried to get my students to open up, all I want for them is to try. But in a group setting, they are always very quiet, unless they are talking to eachother while I'm talking, which I find to be really disrespectful. They talk even louder when other students are performing or reading in front of the class, which makes it difficult for me to hear and grade them.
Just think back to your time in school. There were many students who never raised their hand or participated, unless the teacher called on them. It's not any different here, except maybe there are fewer students who want to participate. I've found recently that when I have students one on one, some like talking to me, but have never talked in class. I will keep trying.
icerock:
as we were young, we use to passive learning. teacher talk, we listern. that also the chinese education features. especially in foreigner teacher class, people too shy to speak something. they aslo don't want be embarassed in classroom because their poor english skill.
I usually use controversial subjects,Chinese medicine is myth,the food is bad for you this gets them talking or you can go further the tia,tib,tiawa etc
Probably because you have to give them some more interactive activities..let them role play that way they have to participate. Create a debate and split the class into teams one for the cause and one against the cause. You could pick a topic like abortion and have one half of the class for abortion and the other half against abortion....or another topic! You can try foods or drinks....have one team debating for the benefits of cold water and the other team debating against cold water.
Jnusb416:
Even in English corner, that doesn't work. We tried that. They either didn't know what to say, or didn't know how to say it in English. And it was boring.
You get this problem everywhere and in any subject
when all else fails tell the person paying the bill and things can change very quickly
they either start working or they are no longer in your class
you need to remember it not a reflection of your ability but the lack of intrest on their part
