Classroom Management
Discipline
The teacher is in charge in the classroom and the teacher sets the standards, so make it clear that there are rules.
If you start by making your expectations clear, then classroom management is easier to maintain.
If you overlook bad behaviour, there are two consequences
- You are letting down all the other students who are expecting you to deal with behavioural problems
- You will find it harder to take control the second time if you have ignored the first example.
If there is any problem that the teacher can’t handle through normal classroom management, they should speak to the Principal who will speak to the student if appropriate, either after the lesson or during the class.
If a teacher feels a student needs to be removed from a lesson, they should set the rest of the class a task to occupy them for a few minutes, take the problem student to the Principal and explain the situation.
If necessary, the Principal can contact parents, group leaders and agents concerning difficult students. Discipline problems are thankfully rare, but students need to understand what will not be tolerated, and that there will be consequences for inappropriate behaviour.
Eating and Drinking
Not allowed during lessons! Eating includes chewing gum!
Water bottles are allowed but please no mugs! This includes staff
Students and teachers have regular breaks. There is no need for anything other than water in the classroom. It’s up to you to enforce the rules and set an example.
WIFI
There is free Wi-Fi throughout the building. The Wi-Fi network for use by students is entitled “MeltonCollege-York” and its password is “Melton2015” There is a separate password-protected staff WIFI network “MeltonCollege-Office” You can get the password for this from the Principal, but this must not be shared with students under any circumstances.
Computers
The following classrooms have a computer linked to the College’s computer system and to either an IWB or a large-screen TV or projector in them: North, South, West, Low South, Low West, High North, High South, High West, Far South. These should be used for video and audio resources.
Mobile Phones
Students are told in the day one induction, and should be reminded throughout their course, that mobile phones must not be used in class unless the teacher expressly says otherwise (for research, as a translator or dictionary etc).
At all other times phones should be off or on silent and face down on the table in front of the student
If a student does use their phone during a lesson, they should be told to put it away. Teachers should deal actively with classroom management and tell students phones are not allowed in class. If they continue, they should hand over the phone until the end of the lesson. If there are any further problems speak to the Principal, who will talk to the student.
Dictionaries
Please control the use of dictionaries and electronic translators and advise students when and when not to use them. There is a class set of monolingual dictionaries in each classroom. Students need to be encouraged and shown how to use them. Many students will bring a 2nd language dictionary with them to use in class, or use a translator on their smart phone, tablet or laptop PC. Students should be reminded about practical use of dictionaries, and care must be taken to ensure that the use of such devices for the translation of vocabulary is actually not to the detriment of the learning taking place in the classroom.
Bins
There is a litter bin in the hall and one on the landing. Please set a good example by tidying classrooms and encouraging students to use the bins to put rubbish in at the end of each lesson. It is not fair for the next class and teacher to come into an untidy classroom.
Bells and Changeovers
Start and finish your lesson on time, not before and certainly not after.
Teachers should be in the classroom for the start of the lesson, i.e., before the bell rings, with all materials necessary for the whole lesson and any technology (PC, IWB, computer etc.) set up and ready to use.
Bells ring at the start of every class. Be punctual and insist on punctuality from the students. A lesson’s activities should commence at the start of the lesson, irrespective of whether all of the students are present. Teachers should not wait for latecomers before beginning the real business of the lesson as this will only encourage the attitude among students that “if I am late the teacher and my classmates will wait for me.” If students are late they should be asked why and marked on the register as late. If a student is more than ten minutes late for a lesson they can be told to wait and join the class at the 45-minute mark, rather than disrupt the lesson.
Classroom Equipment
If you have any problems with equipment let the Principal know or ask for a spare. We can easily provide a replacement or look to have something repaired or replaced but only if we know about the problem. Any problems with the computers, internet, Wi-Fi need to be reported to the Principal using the Repairs To-do on Basecamp (Melton College HQ > To dos > Repairs).
Chairs
Please do not allow students to swing/rock on the chairs. Please be consistent in asking them not to do so. This is not unreasonable to request of the students. It preserves the furniture and prevents accident. Obviously, teachers will set an example by not rocking/swinging on chairs.
Toilet breaks
Except with our very youngest students, it is not unreasonable to expect them to use the toilets before the lesson! It is quite acceptable to remind, particularly teenage students of this. They have long enough breaks to allow them to use the toilets during break time. Teachers using first floor rooms, please remember there is an upstairs toilet. It is a good policy to only allow one student (especially with juniors) to be out of the classroom at any time.
Classroom Rules
College and other classroom rules should be established at the beginning of a student’s course (this is done in the Induction but this can be reinforced during the first lesson of Junior and closed group courses) and referred to by all teachers when students don’t adhere to them. Rules should be explained so that students are aware of their purpose - basically safety, respect for property and others and to help them improve their English.
The same rules need to be enforced by everyone in order to ensure good discipline and an enjoyable teaching environment! The following College rules are in the Induction and on their name cards or on display in classrooms:-
- Please only speak English
- Please do not eat or chew during lessons.
- Please treat College property (e.g. chairs & books) as you would wish your property to be treated, e.g. please use all four legs of the chair!
- Please put mobile phones away in class. (Dictionaries/internet research via mobile phones may be allowed at the class teacher’s discretion.)
- Please keep the classroom tidy
Respect and Politeness
The following are not so much rules as examples of what we would see as appropriate conduct. Although they may seem obvious, they should not be taken for granted. You should politely insist that they become the norm within your class!
- If you are late for class, apologise!
- Ask permission before leaving the class, during and at end (i.e. wait until the teacher has said the lesson is finished and try to use the breaks for going to the toilet!)
- Don’t speak when the teacher or someone else is speaking
- Listen to and respect what others have to say
Please do not set a bad example by sitting on the tables yourself or not looking after equipment! If you need to move one of the teacher’s tables, get a student to help you
With large classes, for example during the Summer Course the classrooms may be full, encourage the first students to arrive to fill the seats furthest from the door.
Starting and Ending Lessons
Teachers must appear to be professional:
Once a lesson has begun you should not need to leave the room to collect materials, equipment etc. Please ensure that you check that you have everything for a lesson, before it begins.
Teachers should check/do the following when leaving your their classrooms.
At the end of every lesson:
1. Interactive Whiteboards and Projectors switched off.
2. Blinds open
3. Remote controls, cables, pens, IWB pens and dictionaries in cupboard (where present)
4. Chairs and tables tidy
5. Board cleaners on desk (not on radiator).
6. Lock cupboards
7. Take the tennis ball key ring with you
8. Do not leave registers in the classroom!
9. Radiators set to 2
At the end of the last lesson
1. Lights, fans, computers, Interactive Whiteboards and Projectors switched off.
2. Windows locked.
3. Take tennis balls key rings and registers back to the East Room.
Remember
· Never place computers, CD players etc. on the floor.
· Whiteboard markers should be kept in the cupboards and the cupboards locked when the room is not in use. Do not use the radiator as a pen holder!
· Never leave your key (and tennis ball) in the classroom.
· Discourage students from swinging on chairs and sitting on tables.
· Do not allow wires, bags etc. to become a trip hazard.
If anything in the room is damaged or not working correctly, use Basecamp to let the Principal/Principal know as soon as possible so we can do something about it.
Photocopying and worksheets
Think about the best way to present information.
Do you want:
- the students to be focussed as a class? (If yes, use the whiteboard)
- the students to have a permanent record? (If yes, use the Melton College worksheet template to make your copies look professional)
- the student to read a text on a copy? Student files habitually end up with lots of paper that will never be looked at again. Is there a better way to present information?
The amount of material in the books you have been assigned, together with the wealth of supplementary material in the staffroom, should mean that too much photocopying is unnecessary. Wherever possible you should use class sets of books rather than making unnecessary copies. You will, however, want to create worksheets.
Worksheets:
A good worksheet is:
- Professionally presented on a standard “Worksheet template”, available on the college system in the Company drive I: folder 6. Classroom Resources\Templates
- Legal - please be aware of the rules about what you can and cannot copy. Please remember, where necessary, to acknowledge the source and author of an exercise.
- Intelligible - if the student looks at the worksheet in six months, will they understand it?
- Necessary - you do have a whiteboard!
- Economical - a few words or questions can be dictated (and dictation is of value anyway).
Teachers should also plan ahead, and photocopying should ideally be done the afternoon before.
Copyright
The College holds a number of different licences from a variety of bodies covering copyright and similar statutes. Please ensure that your work falls within the guidelines set out by the organisations below!
CLA (The Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd.) CLA is responsible for looking after the interests of rights owners over the copying of books, journals, magazines and periodicals. It licenses business, education and government to copy extracts from books, journals, magazines and periodicals.
ERA (Educational Recording Agency) The ERA Licensing Scheme permits staff at educational establishments to record, for non-commercial educational purposes, broadcast output of ERA's Members.
Juniors and the Care of Juniors
Care and safeguarding of juniors is an essential duty. Someone, often the Accommodation Manager or Campus Manager will come to all classes within the first 5minutes of the first lesson. They will note any absences and follow up immediately.
Study Skills
A major reason for including study skills is to allow our students to take control of their learning. Study skills are not second nature to many students. Insist that students:
Maintain files
File worksheets correctly
Use lined paper for work
Write on alternate lines for homework.
Be sceptical of “I’ll write it up later” as a reason for not displaying good study skills practice!
Please remember to hole-punch any hand-outs for students so they can put them in their files!
Learning out of class
It is part of our job to guide and encourage students in their learning out of class. Please ensure that you brief all students, including new arrivals, about the need to work outside class in order to get the most out of their time here and to make as much progress as possible. Part of this is encouraging them to make the most of the opportunities they have to practise and improve their English “in the real world” outside the classroom during their stay. Teachers should look at their lessons as only part of the student’s experience of being in an English-speaking environment and think about how they can encourage them to put what they are learning in class into practice once lessons are over. Other elements that help students learn out of class:
