“I see your mouth moving, but…”
Despite the frustrations of working with little students who don’t speak my language, and vice-versa, I must admit that generally they are quite polite. On most days, my students will sit and listen. Usually they even maintain eye contact while I stand and ramble on in front of the classroom. Sometimes I begin to think, “Wow, this is going so well! They’re attentive. They’re quiet. They’re really soaking this up!”
BUT…
When I complete the point of the lesson, and I inquire as to who understood, my students generally maintain that same attentive stare. They are still quiet.
When I put two and two together, I realize that they have no idea that I have finished my lesson. They have no idea that I asked them a question. They saw my mouth moving, but…
So what are we to do with students who sit politely but don’t communicate with us that they’re not getting it? A few things I’ve learned to do…
1. I now break my lessons into smaller, bite-sized sections. I can assess more frequently who’s understanding and who’s not.
2. I incorporate individual writing exercises throughout the lesson. Students must demonstrate every minute or so what we’ve just covered.
3. I’m trying to create an environment where it’s OK to make a mistake, in hopes that students will voluntarily let me know that they don’t understand. This one is tough, especially in an Asian culture where the idea of loss of face is so embedded in the social structure. I have begun to praise and reward students for trying instead of rewarding them for getting answers correct.
What about your classroom? How do you keep track of who’s getting it and who’s not?
Go to the next:
What They’re Not Telling You (6 of 10)
