I do lessons with young kids 1-on-1 and have never had any formal training outside of TEFL and conferences while I taught at public school in Japan.
I’m looking for techniques to use when a student acts out during the entire lesson (screaming, hitting, damaging materials. Etc.) and the parents are close enough to hear but don’t react. I’m asking here because the language barrier makes it more unique than other situations. I’m not supposed to use any Japanese in the lessons.
5 comments
Depends if there is anyone watching. Personally I always use Japanese to correct bad behavior. Young kids don’t understand what you are trying to say in English. When I say it in Japanese, they usually listen fairly quick 😂
If you’re not allowed to use Japanese, then you need help from someone who does. You need to make rules, have them explained to each kid with support staff, and implement the rules with consistency, giving genuine consequences for rule breaking.
Unfortunately, if you are in a school/Eikaiwa where not upsetting the parents (by not letting little Koki do whatever he wants) is the most important thing (¥¥¥) then the pragmatist in me says that there is very little you can do.
Without set rules it’s difficult for children to infer or understand what is acceptable or unacceptable.
How old is the kid? Do they pay attention at all during the lesson? What kind of activities do you do in the lesson with them?
First, complain to your manager. Especially if you’re being hit. You’re not a public school teacher, there are limits to what you should have to put up with. But be prepared for them to ignore you.
Next, think carefully about what the space is inviting the child to do. What triggers them the most?
Establish simple classroom rules and go over them every time. If they start screaming and jumping about and ignore a firm, sharp ‘No!’ then ignore them and sit playing/doing whatever activity you’ve prepared by yourself.
Obviously step in if they look like they’re going to hurt themselves.
If they abuse materials, take them away. Sit and color (crayons not pencils) until they realise you’re not going to play their games.
Strip the ‘lesson’ back to the bare essentials doing activities you are confident they enjoy. Don’t over stimulate them with too many activities. It’s easy to want to go in with too many games and too much stuff.
You can always keep a running commentary going if you worry about not ‘teaching’.
Goodluck.
How young is the child and how long is the lesson?