English Toolbox Tips

We asked you to relate your horror stories about problem students, and did you ever! This was one of the most popular topics ever on this blog, based on the number of you who wrote in. Most complained about cheaters, talkers and pint-sized divas. However, the story we liked best was about a discipline problem in a Korean private school ("hakwon"). The teacher was Roxanne C., and we'll let her pick up the story: "This boy would never behave in class, was always disruptive, and wasn't learning a thing. I really hated him and dreaded the days when I knew I would see him (unfortunately, his attendance was the only sterling thing about him!). One day, lunching at a local restaurant, I saw the boy and his mother eating on the other side of the room. He was talking to her, trying to get her attention, but she never even glanced at him; she just ate and then smoked a cigarette, and pretended he wasn't even in the room. Mind you, he wasn't misbehaving, he was just trying to connect with a mother that clearly had written him off. I realized that this was at the root of his classroom antics, and I resolved to be a bit nicer to him. Didn't help much, but eventually the school year ended and I moved on to another school." Wow, Roxanne, that's a great reminder to all of us (of something... ) and has won you five English Toolbox credits!

Next time, tell us the best piece of teaching-related advice you ever received from a colleague, training course, the internet, etc. The most interesting tip will get the sender five free English Toolbox credits, even if s/he does not currently subscribe. Send your thoughts to info@englishtoolbox.com by 30 September.

Labels: EFL, teaching English, TEFL