TESOL Teachers - How to Keep Your Students Attention

Number 1 Stay Calmbetween students, if they have good news to share
Nothing excites children more than seeing the teacheror any other everyday occurrence, it should be
excited. It's only natural. You, as the teacher, are theiraddressed. When the students are comfortable
leader and when you display excited energy, positivearound you they also begin to trust and respect you.
or negative, it rubs off on them.Thus, they are more willing to listen when you ask it of
Whether you are angry or a student is angry orthem.
misbehaving it is your job to play the role of the adultNumber 4 You Are The Conductor, Keep Moving
and remain rational. Do not let your emotions getIt is true that children are little balls of energy and
carried away. The students will recognize this civilteaching them can be tiring yet fulfilling at the same
behavior and may begin to practice it in the classroom,time.
giving you a a more harmonious environment.Body language can play a large role in your teaching
Number 2 Be Preparedmethods with young learners. It is especially interesting
Preparation is the key to successfully obtaining youngto notice that when you stop moving and talking the
students' attention. When you come to your class withchildren feel it is necessary to start moving and talking.
a lesson plan prepared you are better able to controlIf you point to the board, objects, etc. when teaching it
your class. Organization means less time fumblinghelps them focus more on what you are saying. You
around and trying to figure out what to do next. Youare keeping their eyes from wandering. As a result,
will always know what is next if you have plannedthey absorb more information the first time you say it
ahead of time. It is nearly impossible to plan for a classinstead of you having to repeat it many times.
while you are teaching it. Planning ahead saves youIf you have read this far you are probably genuinely
time and headache. When you are organized you willinterested in improving your teaching techniques and
be able to keep your students on task. This in turn,classroom management. Of course, there are many
helps you to maintain their attention and an overallother ways to get your students to focus during class
organization throughout the classroom.but these listed may give you a kick start with creating
Number 3 Be Awarethe type of classroom environment that you desire. So,
Paying attention to your students shows that you care.sit back, relax and remind yourself over and again that
If they hurt themselves, if there is an argumentyou are a good teacher.