7th August 2020
What is the standard of behaviour in your classroom ?
At my centre, in Sai Gon, Vietnam, we have to employ classroom management (normally reserved for ‘young learners’) to ‘adults’ and some unspeakable teenagers.
At one previous centre, I even had a student write in his book, “I haven’t done any work, I’m not going to do any work,” then laugh at me. Unfortunately, that is not an isolated incident.
Even though we have classroom rules they are mostly ignored, but that is indicative of the country as a whole [1].
To make sure my customers are in no doubt, here are some rules and reminders:
No mobile / cell-phones in the classroom UNLESS it has been sanctioned by the teacher for educational purposes. My lessons start on time – if you use your phones …
I HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE THEM AWAY
No eating, chewing gum, slurping drinks
YOU WILL BE SENT OUT OF THE CLASS AND HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO THE MANAGER WHY YOU ARE EATING
No chatting while the teacher is talking [2].
FURTHERMORE, IN MOST CULTURES, THIS IS UNBELIEVABLY RUDE AND UNACCEPTABLE.
The teacher is here to help YOU learn.
We are not here to entertain you.
You have a chosen a three-hour IELTS course, so deal with it.
Take notes, write down new words, practice using them. Week after week I give you sample answers, new phrases and personal help to enable you to improve your scores.
If I see you are not taking my advise, I will not waste time and energy on you.
Finally, I will not tolerate any sarcasm, rudeness, insults or disrespect.
In the event that I have been insulted or disrespected, I shall end the lesson and you can answer for your actions to the management
If you are serious, I will do all I can to help you. If you just want to joke around and stop me doing my job, there will be consequences.
Time to turn over a new leaf
You need to work MUCH harder, but don’t take my word for it:
[1] motorbike riders don’t wear helmets, they overload their bike, use mobile phones, drive any way and any direction THEY want … public urination is endemic, recycling means throwing rubbish in the gutter and for many people, dogs are not pets, but lunch … and they joke about that to my face.
[2] good luck with this one … in nearly five years, I have never had a class that is able to just SHUT UP and listen. At first, I was shocked, adults speaking to each other, normal volume, continually while the teacher is teaching. As we say in the UK, empty vessels make the most noise, and there is a LOT of noise.
Thay Paul's Notes 
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