Make your rule.

Lily

"Make your rule." This sentence was a Hyundai card advertising phrase. I agree with this. In any situation, we'd better to make our own rules so that all things can have their own scales. I think teachers are the same. Teachers should set their own rules for students and themselves. Only their one saying or behavior can have a giant influence on the students. Their actions and rules must be set delicately and discreetly. Then, let's look in when their behaviors and rules are important.

The first important part is 'English Only Policy'. This policy will surely improve students' English skills. However, it could make side effects to students whose mother tongue is not English. I heard one story before. At school, there was an English only policy with a native teacher. One student really wanted to go to the washroom but couldn't make a sentence in English. So the student was finally hospitalized. Like this, there can be some negative effects. Therefore, I think teachers should make a preventive measure. For example, we collect some notes in front of classroom. If something urgent happens but it is too hard for students to explain in English, they can write that in Korean. Especially, it can be accepted only 2 times in one class for one students. Like this, I think teachers need to make some alternatives for students.

Secondly, the important part is 'attendance & tardiness'. Especially in many students-classes, study progress might be hard without consideration for each other. For example, if one student is consistently late, it must make problems and seem to be tacit room for other students as well. So teachers should make their own rules or what is needed about 'attendance & tardiness'. For example, paying a fine on more than 2 times tardiness per week or giving a sticker to those who were not late in the class for a week and a present at the end of whole term. Like this, certain rules about attendance are needed for both teachers and students.

In every situation, regulations should be in place. Particularly in rewards and punishments, it works importantly. In my experience, once I handed a sticker paper out to the students and said, "I will give a reward to the one who collects the most at the end of the term." But, the problem was that some students became discouraged by others who had got more than themselves.
What if I faced this situation again in the future? How can I deal with it? I think it is a good idea that I give them some special positions like a time-keeper or a workbook-helper and promise to give a sticker as a reward when they fulfill their duties. It can motivate them.

There are endless parts for teachers to care. But, the most important thing in every part is perceiving my position as a teacher who has the final say. I should set the rules and react appropriately. Nothing can't be perfect in education. However, I think teachers should set a consistent system on behalf of the students. This is the solution for all problems.