I’m a SHS ALT in a biggish high school in a somewhat rural city. My kids are not great at English, but they’re usually at least genki when I come around.
Recently, I’ve been struggling with getting students to comprehend instructions and complete their work. As an example, I am currently working on a group project with my third years. They’re writing short (1 or 2 minute) skits. Their “performance” in class later will be their speaking test for the semester. They get one class of introduction where they started planning, one class to finish their rough draft, one class to make a final copy and rehearse, and then they will perform the skits for each other. We reviewed all this info in English and Japanese and they had it in writing.
I’ve worked really hard over the last year to improve my Japanese since it’s useful as I’m usually T1. In every class, I give the students clear, concise instructions in Japanese and English. The instructions and examples stay on the board. We review deadlines and goals at the beginning and end of class. I ask them to tell me what they’re supposed to be doing to check they understand. They do. I leave the timer up on the board and verbally give them time warnings. And yet, 25-50% of each class seems surprised when class is over and I’m collecting their work to check before we move on to the next step. They haven’t done any of the assignment despite getting 40 of the 50 minutes of class time to work on it.
All of the JTEs involved saw the lesson plan and materials in advance and had the opportunity to provide feedback. They are all on the same page.
The JTEs ask me to evaluate the students’ work as well, and while I don’t know if my scores even impact their grades in class at all, I know they impact students’ attitude and confidence. I don’t want to be a hard ass and give them poor marks – but if they don’t complete the work I can’t give them confidence boosting scores. It makes me feel frustrated and sad. I want my kids to succeed.
Does anyone have any tips for improving kids’ completion of work?!? I keep having stress dreams about these classes 😣
by Banono-boat