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Teaching English with games is becoming standard through
out ESL classes of the world. And this is good news,
because children love to learn through games, and become
much more motivated students as a result. However games
often make children excited, and if you have a large class
you need a few things up your sleeve to bring the class
into line immediately if things get a little over-heated.
Here are some tips and ideas to help you contain your
pupils' enthusiasm and manage your large class. There are
three sections. Essential basics, useful tips, and
attention grabbers.
1. Some essential basics to manage a large class
Together with your pupils define the rules in the first
lesson, and post them on the classroom wall for reference.
Knowing WHY a rule is in place makes it easier to keep. You
must establish the rules on day one and stick to them!
Be consistent in applying your rules. If you are arbitrary
about how you dish out your rewards or 'consequences', or
punishments you will enforce the rules themselves.
Praise good behavior to generate love and self-esteem.
Whatever you do, avoid being like so many parents who spend
their whole time telling their children, "do not do this"
and "do not do that". By focusing on the positive in order
to draw more attention to it you apply the universal law of
"you attract what you focus on".
If you are working in a school know the law and rules of
your institution before you go into the classroom for the
first time, and work in harmony with the school.
Start out strict and fair – and stay that way! Being
strict is not about looking stern and being bossy. It is
about making sure the rules are kept, in a firm but fair
way. You can still be a really fun, loving teacher and be
strict with your class at the same time.
2. Useful Tips
Do not break your own rules by raising your voice to be
hear. Instead talk quietly or stop and wait. Your class
should know that for every minute you are kept waiting them
will receive extra English homework, or whatever
consequence you have designated.
Children love the sound of their own name more than
anything else. So use an individual's name for praise and
avoid using it when telling someone off.
Create teams and deduct or reward behavior points to a
team's score during a game. Your class will respond
naturally by using peer pressure to keep the naughty
children from misbehaving.
Empower your children with choices. For example, ask a
naughty child, "Do you want me to speak to your Dad?" By
asking a question you give the child the power to choose,
whereas if you use a threat such as, "I'll call your Dad if
you do not have ", you take the initiative away and seem
tyrannical.
You can also say things like, "you can either play the game
properly or you can sit in the corner. "
probably choose to play the game properly, and you make
them responsible for their behavior.
Prevention is better than cure, so try giving boisterous
children an important task BEFORE they start to play up.
They may respond well to the responsibility.
It is important, especially with a large class, to hand
things out quickly or use a system to have this done, such
as giving the well-behaved children the task as a reward.
Sing a song together or do some counting or a quick game to
occupation the class while materials are handed out.
Play a mystery game and, before you start your fun game say
that during the activity you will be watching the whole
class for 3 well-behaved children who will be rewarded.
Only play games where you know you can keep a handle on the
situation. For example there is no point playing a
boisterous game with a lot of movement if you have more
than around 20 children. With large classes, including
classes of up to 60 children, you need special games where
the children have limited movement – such as standing up or
making gestures but while remaining in their seats. You
can sign up to receive free games in the resource box
below, and some of the free games given out are suitable
for very large classes.
Attention grabbers
Start an English song the children know and love – they
will all join in with you and at the end you'll have theirs
attention.
Clap out a pattern which the class must clap back, or start
a rhyme they know with actions.
Use quiet cues such as heads down or lights off. Vary these
with other fun quiet cues such as "Give me five" 1. – on your
bottom, legs crossed; 2 – hands folded in your lap; 3 – face
the speaker; 4 – eyes and ears open; 5 – mouths closed.
You teach this repetitively in the first lessons and after a
few weeks, you only have to say "Give me five: 1,2,3,4,5",
and the children will do it.
You can also use the Magic 1 2 3 idea. When a child does
not quite start counting 1, 2, … The child knows that if you
get to 3 there will be some sort of consequence, such as
missing out on the next game. If you use this and you reach
3, you must follow through with an appropriate consequence
Consistently.
To summarize, establish the rules and consequences for good
and bad behavior, apply them consistently, set a good
example, use peer pressure and points, and use attention
grabbing cues such as favorite songs, English rhymes with
actions and countdowns. Above all play suitable games where
you know you can keep in control of your class.
You can be firm and fun at the same time, and if you can not
manage your class, you should realize that, despite it
sounds harsh to say it, you are wasting their time.
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