I find the beginning of the school year a time of excitement, preparation, anxiety, expectations; a whirlwind of emotions really. As a public sector teacher, each year, I meet a new first-grade class in my junior high school. I try my best to welcome these new students. From my experience, there are a few simple tips that can help you get off to a good start.
Firstly, introduce yourself and write how you wish your students to address you on the board (e.g., “Hello, everyone. I’m Mrs Laiou and we will be learning English together.”). Being clear is important and it helps prevent misunderstandings. Ask students their names and make a point of learning them quickly. Using them as often as you can will usually do the trick. Knowing students’ names makes them feel valued in your classroom and this feeling is precious. I especially focus on first names as they are more personal and they help reduce distance.
Text by: Christina Laiou
Next move on to class rules. What kind of rules do we need to establish in order to create a positive learning environment and avoid arguments, yelling and punishment? Ask students to begin first. They are very good at it and can usually include all necessary rules. Intervene only if needed and mostly to formulate rules succinctly and avoid repetition. I usually ask if there is a student who would like to note down the rules and bring them the next day on a large paper for everyone to sign. The signed rules poster is put on the wall of the classroom and remains there throughout the whole year for reference. Make sure all students agree on the rules as you can use this as a reminder in cases of misbehavior.
I also find that rules should focus on creating an environment of acceptance, positivity and empathy. For example, I often say: “In this class, we can all make mistakes. Myself included.” Make sure students understand that it is not OK to laugh at someone’s mistake, or make comments, or discourage anyone from asking a question. It is OK to not understand something and ask a question. Making mistakes and asking questions is an integral part of learning. The golden rule is: do not do to another what you would not like to be done to you.
Go on to set goals and create a positive learning atmosphere. In Greek public schools, I dare say that all English classes are mixed-ability classes. There are many students who attend private language schools in order to obtain certificates which public schools do not provide; there are very advanced students (especially students who began learning English at a very young age and/or use the language extensively), not so advanced students, students who do not attend private language schools, students who do not like English or learning foreign languages and so on. This reality does present a difficulty but we do not need to allow it to constitute a problem. Our overall goal could be: getting better at English. This means something different to each person. So, in classroom practice this could mean going over a grammatical phenomenon by asking weaker students to state more basic rules and asking more advanced students to elaborate by adding exceptions. We can administer a placement test (in fact in public schools it is mandatory in the first grade of junior high school) but actually it does not take very long to spot very advanced, average or very weak students.
I find that mixed-ability classes can benefit greatly from group and project work. The reason is that, in groups, students can contribute to the best of their ability and there is always someone who can make up for any weaknesses. Projects also allow students to contribute according to their strengths because they are usually open-ended, creative and collaborative. An extra bonus is that individual talents can shine through (someone may be a good leader, someone else may be good at drawing, designing or writing, yet another student may be technology savvy and so on). Keep in mind that group work may not be a great hit with students from the beginning. It may take time and effort on your part to make groups work but, trust me, it is worth it.
With students you already know, you can begin on a different basis. You can assess and build on the experiences of the previous year and set new goals based on what worked or not the year before, what requires more attention, what is worth keeping or forgetting in order to start anew.
Find ways to keep in touch with parents/guardians. In public schools, it is customary to invite the parents of the students of each class to a meeting early on at the beginning of the new year so the teaching staff can inform them of how they plan to work with the students and what they expect from them. Take advantage of such meetings and plan ahead what you feel is most important to mention. Encourage students to talk to their parents about what they do in your class.
Overwhelmed? Dear teachers, despair not! Good beginnings are definitely welcome but they are not guaranteed. You may face a number of problems related or unrelated to you. Work on them. Do not press on to cover material. You teach people, not books. Be aware, observant and reflective. Look into action research to improve problematic areas. Be flexible and change what is not working by trying something else. Ask for your students’ opinion in a structured way through questionnaires or through impromptu discussions. Ask colleagues for help. Stay positive and positivity will rub off around you. Remember, a fresh start can begin at any time; like the sun after the rain!
* I am a public-school English teacher since 2005. I have worked in primary schools, junior high schools, high schools and vocational schools. I currently teach English at a junior high school and high school in Amfiklia, Fthiotida, I hold a Master’s Degree in The Teaching of English as a Foreign/International Language. I am interested in using technology for educational purposes, I love doing creative projects with my students and I am a great proponent of life-long learning.
