Hello,
Wow, this was interesting. I agree about Uni students. I don't teach Uni anymore for the same reason. They just have a lot of attitude. What the teacher said about the ICEBREAKER was right on. The first day of class, well, that's when they will test your boundries. They WILL test you. After all, who are YOU to teach THEM right? So, I stay out of the way on the first day. The most common activity is "find someone who......" That way, they have to move around the class and get to know each other.....they will be testing each other as well. ESL is different from other teaching. There is always a leader in the class. You have to get them to be on your good side or you are done for.
I've also tried your techniques....screaming, sending them out etc. It just makes them hate you more and you get comments like "she treats me like a child." I know, they are acting like a child, but you can't let them know that you know. Anyway, stand back, find out who the leader(s) are. Concentrate on them first, and concentrate on them (sadly) more often. The students will follow the leader more than they follow you....remember, they only have one class with you, but they spend the whole day and multiple semesters with those kids. And, well, there IS a lot of bullying.
Also, please please please look at my post. I'm having trouble with issues as well...Brad D. I believe that your coworkers have a lot to do with the attitude of the students. If your coworkers are late, that student will take charge, they will be the teacher, and you will be competing with the STUDENT, not the material. All the teachers of a level need to talk to each other about the "obstinate" students and come to a conclusion of who they are. By the way, if your fellow teacher says there aren't any problems, or they say "I love that student" or they just get up and walk away......uh......they are the problem. Good luck on dealing with that. I am asking for advice on that one. If you work together, then the student will see that the teachers are in control, and they will either accept it or move to another school. Either way, you'll be able to get back to teaching.
Also, if you can do this (I can't) just let it go. Some semesters are just not going to work. The dynamic between the leaders doesn't create a positive atmosphere, and there isn't anything you can do about it. I mean, continue to do your job, but let your feelings of disappointment go. Screaming usually means that you care. You know?