120 hr. TEFL Course Module 9-Classroom Management (Pt.9 Unique Strategies)

Module 9: Classroom management

9.5 Unique strategies

While the best strategy for creating a positive classroom environment involves everything we have discussed so far in this module, sometimes you need to employ fresh tactics to encourage positive behavior. Here are some unique strategies that can help you take confrontation out of classroom management.

Countdown: There are many strategies like this, but essentially the countdown involves having some sort of signal to the class that they need to calm down. If you do this properly, you can get students to modify behavior without saying a word. When they get out of hand, simply start the timer and let them regulate themselves.

Commercial break: If you have a very loud or social group, you can set up a routine where students are rewarded for positive and diligent behavior with a commercial break or a period of time during which they can break from work to get up and walk around and talk to friends socially. You will need to regulate the time for the commercial break carefully and keep it short (two minutes is probably best since that is the traditional length of commercial breaks).

Buddy system: Pair up your students and hold them accountable for each other. If one of the partners missed the directions, the other is there to explain it. If one of the partners is acting up, the other is there to try to deflate the situation. Handle problems with one of the students as problems with the pair to keep them linked in both reward and punishment. This will not work, however, if one student is not compliant and always causing the problems.

Number your students: Of course you want your students to feel like individuals and not just numbers on a sheet, but assigning each student a number can be helpful. When you need them to act quickly, either getting into groups, presenting ideas, or some other behavior, save time by calling out numbers. “We’re going to have a debate; all the even numbers get on one side of the room, and the odd numbers get on the other side.” This will cut down on a lot of the wasted time of organizing students and will also promote compliance and classroom harmony.

Tight schedule: Building up a tight routine can really help you encourage diligent behavior. If you create a routine of bell work and exit slips, your students know they need to begin working immediately as class begins, and they know they are accountable for something before they leave. This may seem very simplistic, but it sets up a class routine and promotes appropriate behavior. Students know they need to do this every day and come in ready to work.