Teacher's Notes: Organizing the course with students - fundamental rules Pro Preview

Get to know one another

If the group has new members, make sure everyone introduces themselves. That is compulsory at the first level. Sometimes, at the second or higher levels, new students might join the course, and you will have to follow the same procedure as well. The most common things to share are name, age, school, favorite sports, and after-class activities.

The teacher should start and shortly introduce himself, the way it is expected of students.

Names

During the introduction session, ask the students to repeat the name of the speaker after he/she has finished.

After the introduction session, check whether you have remembered the names of all students by repeating them aloud.

Establish a connection with students

Students will feel that the teacher shares and understands their interests. When there is a friendly environment in the classroom, students will surely do what their teacher expects from them.

You can establish such a connection as early as the introduction session. When students say something about their hobby, comment on it and ask a follow-up question.

• If a student shares that they play computer games, ask which games so that you can share the names of the games you play or so that the other students can know they have common interests.

• If a student shares they do some sport, ask them for the style they practice or the position they take in team sports.

• When talking about sports, you can also ask about the student’s achievements - participation in competitions, cups, medals, etc.

When students say something you can relate to, use that opportunity -

• “I also play Minecraft, and our school has its server.”

• “When I play football, I am usually the goalkeeper. “

• “When I play volleyball, I prefer to be the libero.”

In that way, students will relate to you and you will become some sort of friends.

Keep stories related to the topic

Students may also share a story or achievement about a thing no one has done, but related to science or school.

Be careful - such stories may take a lot of time in the first lesson, and you'd better stick to hobbies.

If you still think your students may share unrelated stories, guide them. Otherwise, inappropriate stories may ruin the discipline, especially in the first lesson.