Is my teacher listening to me?

[M56]

Look at this extract written by a language teacher. Does the statement in brackets (*) shock you? Do you feel that your teacher should always listen to you and be interested in what you are speaking about? How do you feel about what the teacher is saying below?

Extract:

I write on the board: What was the best and the
worst thing that you did at the weekend? (Three
minutes) The students immediately start
discussing the question in pairs (one group of
three). I monitor by squatting in the centre of
the room, smiling, laughing every time they do
(so at least they think I am listening to them!)*,

http://www.educa.rcanaria.es/tea/team1/29.pdf

[twostep]

[
Extract:

I write on the board: What was the best and the
worst thing that you did at the weekend? (Three
minutes) The students immediately start
discussing the question in pairs (one group of
three). I monitor by squatting in the centre of
the room, smiling, laughing every time they do
(so at least they think I am listening to them!)*,

http://www.educa.rcanaria.es/tea/team1/29.pdf[/QUOTE]

AT the weekend?
Does it shock you at all? Even a lion tamer needs a break.

[M56]

[
Extract:

I write on the board: What was the best and the
worst thing that you did at the weekend? (Three
minutes) The students immediately start
discussing the question in pairs (one group of
three). I monitor by squatting in the centre of
the room, smiling, laughing every time they do
(so at least they think I am listening to them!)*,

http://www.educa.rcanaria.es/tea/team1/29.pdf

AT the weekend?
Does it shock you at all? Even a lion tamer needs a break.[/QUOTE]

But the teacher is talking about a lesson during the week. They are in the lesson.

[twostep]

AT the weekend?
Does it shock you at all? Even a lion tamer needs a break.

But the teacher is talking about a lesson during the week. They are in the lesson.[/QUOTE]
Does this shock you? Try the other side - he is dealing with x number of students, some prepared, some not. The objective is to get them to talk not to get him to listen. Let the student do their talking, get involved when the excitement has toned down.

[Tdol]

It's a tad cynical. Multiple simultaneous monitoring is not easy, but the teacher should try a little harder and maybe even force himself or herself to do a spot of actual listening.

[M56]

As opposed to just hearing?

[twostep]

It's a tad cynical. Multiple simultaneous monitoring is not easy, but the teacher should try a little harder and maybe even force himself or herself to do a spot of actual listening.

You have considerable more patience then me. Crack the whip!

[Tdol]

Where's my cat o' nine tails?

[M56]

"Meow!" x 9.

[twostep]

Where's my cat o' nine tails?

Unfortunately TwoStep may have nine lives but only one tail.