Written by Miriam Sheen Cuba

English teacher
http://miriamsheencuba.blogspot.com/
http://tailoringteaching.blogspot.com/

Dealing with Classroom Management

One of the biggest challenges which English teachers face is that of classroom management.
Classroom management refers to the ways in which student behavior, movement and interaction during the
lesson are conducted and controlled by the teacher in order to have a most effective teaching. Having good
managerial skills facilitates a good teaching. If you have a well- managed class, there will not be indiscipline
problems and the learner will be engaged in learning activities and tasks.
Therefore, a controlled class will contribute to the enhancement of
motivation and thus have effective production.
Teaching is indeed a controlling activity. The teacher exerts control in
the classroom with the clear and consistent aim of promoting the
student’s learning. I have been teaching for more than 12 years in this
institution and in a public school ranging from children, teens and adults,
but no matter what the age or level of my students might be, what has
sustained me most of the time has been the lessons in which the whole

class participates with noticeable enthusiasm due to my careful planning

and certain control. Of course, I have also suffered from the challenging
experience of confronting the apathy of phantom and reticent students
yet, despite their reluctance in learning, I’ve endeavored to make them
invest in the learning process.
Control is crucial because the teacher has to interact with a group of
students who are quick and slow, active and passive, friendly and
hostile, shy and aggressive, serious and mischievous, interested and
bored. Thus, any improper treatment may lead to the unfavorable
reaction of students and the breakdown of the teaching sequence.
The teacher in the classroom has to create an atmosphere in which the student feels confident and free to
produce the language. For instance, giving praise when deserved, especially when the student does well,
reinforces his or her good performance. As a rule, I like to smile, I believe it generates warmth and response
from students. Patience, support, sensitivity and resourcefulness are qualities that must be taken into account
in classroom management.

According to Anderson and Brophy (1978), the success of a

classroom management is shown when you have structuring
lessons that reflect clear instructional activities, when the tasks
assigned attain learning objectives and when grouping students,
they carry out the tasks and achieve their goals.
Finally, classroom management means having managerial skills,
promoting positive motivation and self-esteem as well as making
students feel they can do it. I am convinced that from the moment I
started teaching I have learned a lot about my students. I am sure
that I’ve touched their hearts for in the classroom they are all that matter to me.