How to Deal with Adult EFL Students Who Misbehave

Most experienced EFL teachers cringe and swear under their breath when they're asked to teach a teen group of EFL students. They worry about the jeering, refusal to be serious, the noise, the general misbehaving.

But what if I were to tell you that adult EFL students can be just as bad in their own way? Okay, so maybe you won't have to dodge pens whizzing through the air, but there are other kinds of adult misbehavior than can be just as exasperating. Here's what type to look out for and what to do:

The Tester--This is the student who challenges you on every major point, especially when it comes to grammar. He or she may say that this isn't how English is taught back in Germany or France or wherever the native country. This student wants to show everyone in the class that he knows more than the teacher does. What to do: Don't react in an angry or nervous way. Politely correct him for the first couple of times, thanking him for his alternate point of view. If it happens a third time, put him in his place: Come right out and ask him where he is. Eventually, he will have to say he is in your country learning English--not in his own. Then ask who is the student--he will be forced to say that he is. Then ask who is the teacher. He will, reluctantly, say you are. That is usually enough. He will look like a fool and the whole class will silently thank you.

The Dominator--This student keeps talking and doesn't stop. This student is actually more ignorant than nasty, and is also likely to talk a lot in his or her own language. What to do: Don't let this student go on and on for long; you will quickly lose the rest of the class. With this student, you must stop him mid-sentence if you have to, thank him for his contribution and then say you have to hear from students who haven't spoken. Don't worry about cutting off this student and offending him; he's used to it. Again, the students will be very glad because no one learns with a student like this.

The Chatters--These students--usually two of them--usually speak the same original language. While you're teaching, they will have side-chats in their own language, giggle and write notes to each other. They disrupt the class and irritate you. Their message is that "we don't take this class seriously." What to do: The first time it happens, say excuse me, and announce that you only encourage English in the class. Ask everyone to speak in English rather than tell them not to speak in their own language. When they inevitably start again, stop speaking, ask the other students to wait and maintain silence until these chatters realize that everyone is staring at them. Then politely ask if they need to speak privately with each other. And if so, would they please leave and then come back. Again, show no anger, just concern. At the end of the class, ask to speak to them privately, explain your position and request again that they refrain from private conversations in the class. It usually helps them to cut down on the side conversations. If not, come up with an activity in which you need to separate them.

The whole idea with adult misbehavers is the same as when teaching teens--let them know you are in control.


Ilene Springer lives in and teaches EFL in Malta. She is author of An-American-in-Malta.com.