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Sometimes, I miss my childhood. In my lifetime, it is a lovely one. When I was a child, I lived with my parents in Tabanan City, the place that I was born in. I grew up there until I was four year old. At that time, we lived in a rent house and my parents?...
- Two College Students Having Introduction
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Meet the parents
Talking to parents can sometimes be a tough ask. Sometimes you have to be negative and tell them things they don't want to hear about their child. When you have to do it in broken Spanish it adds another level of difficulty to the situation! However, it's also an opportunity to find out more about the child him or herself. In our meetings, the children are invited as well, so it was also a chance to see how they behave when they're alone with their parents and to ask them questions about the class.
Yesterday we had a parents' evening at our academy and I very much enjoyed meeting everyone who came. Some of the parents spoke English well enough, but with others I had to get by with my A2 (self-evaluated!) Spanish.
The most interesting meeting was when I met the mother of a 13 year old student of mine who is in a sort of remedial class for students not quite good enough for the KET class. He likes to communicate in English, but doesn't really take things seriously, can annoy the other students (and me!) and really won't focus on attempting to correct his errors, such as saying "a one pen" which he knows is wrong and can self-monitor and correct when he is more focused, but he often chooses not to be.
Anyway, I discovered that when I had given him a 'Super Student Certificate' for getting ten points in the class disciplinary system, he had gone home and proudly showed his parents before sticking it on his bedroom wall. This surprised me, because I didn't think he really cared about it and I thought it had disappeared to the bottom of his bag with the other scrumpled up papers that I try to get him to put in a folder. There are various reasons why he might have done this, such as to make his parents think he was doing better than he is, but it is certainly clear that it made some sort of impression.
Anyway, I discovered that when I had given him a 'Super Student Certificate' for getting ten points in the class disciplinary system, he had gone home and proudly showed his parents before sticking it on his bedroom wall. This surprised me, because I didn't think he really cared about it and I thought it had disappeared to the bottom of his bag with the other scrumpled up papers that I try to get him to put in a folder. There are various reasons why he might have done this, such as to make his parents think he was doing better than he is, but it is certainly clear that it made some sort of impression.
The class changed recently (lost two students and gained another - there are only 3 now) and I stopped using the same disciplinary system, but I think I might bring something back so that I might be able to give him something similar in future. Considering it appears that he doesn't do very well at school and tends to only receive negative feedback, I think I might have the opportunity to make at least part of his education more positive. Apparently he enjoys the classes, and comes without having to be forced, which is unlike previous years. He is one of my most difficult students in many ways, but seemingly something is working and I'm really glad I met his mum and had the chance to find out more about him.
Parents' evenings can be challenging and stressful and often you don't get to meet the parents of the students you really want to see. Often the weakest and worst behaved children's parents don't come - which perhaps says something in itself. However, this mum was one of those parents and I did get to meet her. I'm glad it happened and I hope I can use the insights I gained to help the boy himself, but I'll see how it goes!
I think many language academies don't bother with these parents' meetings due to practical difficulties. However, all in all, for the school, the teachers and the parents alike, they can be beneficial and can help the students themselves, which is surely our main aim.
VIDEO: Fortunately, none of the parents I have met are like this mother!
I think many language academies don't bother with these parents' meetings due to practical difficulties. However, all in all, for the school, the teachers and the parents alike, they can be beneficial and can help the students themselves, which is surely our main aim.
VIDEO: Fortunately, none of the parents I have met are like this mother!
- Parents And Children ? Are There Ways To Improve Understanding?
Parents and children ? Are there ways to improve understanding? In our modernized world today, we tend to take for granted others opinions and feelings. What matters most is our own opinions and ideas. Parents and their children are not excluded from...
- Should Teachers Give Pupils Much Homework? Discuss.
Should teachers give pupils too much homework? Discuss. Many people now think that teachers give pupils too much homework. They say that it is unnecessary for children to work at home in their free time. Moreover, they argue that most teachers do not...
- My Childhood
Sometimes, I miss my childhood. In my lifetime, it is a lovely one. When I was a child, I lived with my parents in Tabanan City, the place that I was born in. I grew up there until I was four year old. At that time, we lived in a rent house and my parents?...
- Two College Students Having Introduction
In this conversation two new college students have an introductory talk and become friends. They are sitting in the library. Henry: Hello! May I know your name please? Mukesh: I am Mukesh. And what?s your good name please? Henry: My name is Henry. I am...
- Tips For Kids And Their Parents For Studying English
Parents who want to improve their kids abilty in mastering English, these are some useful tips : First, guide your children to access interactive sites, so that they can communicate with people who have the same interest. Second, make a schedule for...