In yet another change of direction, it looks as though I won’t be teaching any YLs this year.  However, these ideas, from a professional development session last year, are still valid when we think about our adult classes.  Although we often assume there will be less discipline and classroom management issues with adults, this may not always be true.  In fact, it can sometimes be more difficult to deal with such issues as you don’t want to patronise or embarrass your adult learners by responding to issues in the same way you would with younger learners.

So, in a bid to minimise classroom management problems, here are some factors to consider, in no particular order:

• planning
• consistency
• clear boundaries
• variety
• realistic expectations
• flexibility
• seating arrangements and classroom layout
• clear inx and targets for tasks
• knowing how to motivate learners
• roles or tasks for fast finishers
• L1/L2 control
• monitoring
• routines
• interaction patterns
• teacher’s energy
• giving responsibility to learners
• positive approach to content and learners
• resources
• rapport and classroom relationships