Every year, the classes I teach can be divided into 2 levels – the advanced groups and the weaker groups. This year I’ve got a ‘present’ – three of my classes are very weak in English, two of them are 11th grade and one of them is a ‘Mekademet’ class.
I'v been teaching girls like these for many years.The more I teach them, the more I become exposed to their loe-self esteem and insecurity they have on themselves. That is why from the very beginning, I make a lot of effort to build-up their self-esteem and try to raise the girls’ confident in English.
But – how?First of all, I believe they can make it! This strong belief always guides me and gives me the strength to keep going, and that is what the girls see and hear during the year.Secondly, my lessons are clear and structured. Moreover, I demand my students to work hard. The girls know what their goals are and what they are expected to do.Thirdly, from time to time, when I feel it’s necessary; I make speech! The girls love it and try to change their attitude towards the next lessons.Above all, I always try to pay attention to girls who are already in the process and praise them. That might give them power and more desire to continue it. For example, a girl who said in despair the above sentence -“I don’t even know the ABC…” She has been saying it for more than two years. She never learns, never does a thing! In fact, it was very hard to make her believe in herself, due to the lack of successful experiences and some others problems she has… I’d almost given up… Recently, this sentence has been solved by the girl herself. Much to her surprise, she got 94% in a literature test. All her classmates cheered and were happy for her extraordinary achievement!
In conclusion, I feel that teaching English is not only about learning in class- - - you actually can touch your students’ heart and give them a real chance to change and believe in themselves!
How do you deal with students with low self-esteem?
Na'ama, you are inspiring!!
ReplyDeleteI am sure your students will remember you for many years.
You remined me two whatsapp messages I got last year.
One was a video of a doctor who wanted to "thank" all the teachers who didn't believe in her. She succeed despite of them.
The other was a series of math tests of a student from the beginning of the year when she was very weak till the last test in which she recieved a 100. You could see her teacher's remarks on the tests how she encouraged the student and built her self confident.
Your story is a great example of what is happening in almost every classroom. That is our duty as a teacher to inspire our students. Completely agree that this is the right way to help them in their studies.
ReplyDeleteI also teach weak students and the helpful tool I use every year is preparing and drilling lists of words.
But "touching their harts" comes first!
First, you are lucky to have only two levels/streams. I sometimes have 3 or even 4 levels. I absolutely agree that all students deserve to be encouraged. Otherwise, they will not achieve any results neither poor(but not zero) nor high. Some students are brilliant in learning languages and some are weaker and they have some certain learning difficulties or learning disabilities, but it doesn't mean that they do not need to study and they will achieve no results at the end. We must put achievable goals to all the students according to their abilities and social situation/environment. It influences much as we see according to our experience.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, aren't you in seventh heaven when your weaker student has "jumped" from 40 to 55? As for me I am happier for him/her than for a student with regular "90".
"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."(Albert Einstein)
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Copy the link from the previous comment, paste it into your browser and see a cool picture. :)
ReplyDeleteAn interesting discussion here - I enjoyed reading your comments and the original post that prompted it, of course!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Ira, unfortunately images in the comments are not supported...
Hi Naama
ReplyDeleteTouch a person's hart and win his soul
If we are kind and sensitive we can even teach English..
You are right, Teaching- learning English process includes, but is not limited to, developing the four essential skills. We also teach our students to be patient, try hard and never give up.
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