January Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 1

January 2012

English Messages A Monthly Newsletter by the English Language Unit (Basic Education)

This is our First Issue This is our first issue of “English Messages”, a comprehensive newsletter which we hope will give English language teachers in Bahrain a chance to express themselves and share their ideas and experiences with each other.

students to have their say, too.

As well as that, we would like to shine a spotlight this year on your achievements within your classrooms. We would like to cover the events and activities you organize at school, and of course, we want our

tronic distribution makes it easy to reach you, and we intend to publish the newslett er once a month.

Your feedback is very important to us.

The more we learn about your needs, the more we can take the right decisions for the future. You are our number 1 priority and we will do our utmost to help you imThrough “English Messages” we will tell prove your educational practices and you about our programmes, training build a better future for our students. courses, activities and even discuss some Please do not hesitate to send your comcommon educational practices and theo- ments and suggestions. We hope we will retical topics and maybe issues that re- be able to communicate better and exquire more explanation and insight. change more ideas this year.

Elec-

We are eager to hear your reactions.

The English Language Unit (Basic Education)

In this issue: • • • •

Classroom Management Tips for Teachers in Bahrain Free Poster: Happy New Year 2012 Teacher’s Corner… More Fun Sample Cloze Test

English Messages

Classroom Management Tips for Teachers in Bahrain I have been asked so many times by some teacher colleagues about how to manage our classrooms effectively. We all have read lots of articles and even books dealing with classroom management strategies. Of course, reading those documents is very important, but I do believe that our students in Bahrain are very special and unique. Consequently, I do believe that it is impossible to build positive relationships with them unless we go very deep into their culture and psychology. Being the sons and daughters of a rich Arab culture and a long Islamic tradition which stress virtue, good behavior and righteousness, our students are highly influenced by the moral attitude of their teachers and the cultural traits of the small community they live in. It is very easy to notice, actually, that they are very polite and friendly. They are always ready to erase the board, take our bags, pick up litter, and whenever they see us, they always greet us heartedly. This is why, I think dealing with Bahraini students is not like dealing with students from other countries and cultures. Respecting them and building a positive moral relationship with them are two prerequisites to be considered if any teacher would like to succeed in managing and therefore teaching them.

One big question before we proceed!

Do you think that

your students are horrible?

Think about this question deeply! If you really have problems with your students, and if you do think that they are 'horrible', then I guess that you have to re-think your teaching style and reconsider your classroom management techniques.

If a teacher does not worry about his students or does not know that he or she is responsible for their immediate and future success, a countless number of Page 2

problems would emerge, and even talking about a healthy learning process or environment would be nothing but a mere illusion.

What follows is a list of some practical and verified tips and techniques to manage our classrooms here in Bahrain more effectively. I hope they will help.

First and foremost, love your students and never forget that their future depends on you this year.

Second, NEVER underestimate your students and start looking for excuses to explain what some teachers call "their innate weakness." Undoubtedly, you would destroy them by the end of the year if you underestimate them. It is a very simple truth which some of us forget: "if you respect them, they will definitely respect you."

Third, work hard! Never waste your time in class! You should know that keeping them busy is the best way to avoid and minimize discipline problems while teaching. This is another definition of respect. Because you respect them, and because you care for them, you work hard, you prepare your lessons well and you do your best to brush up their skills.

Fourth, motivate them! Show them that they are improving thanks to their efforts.

Let them realize and feel that they are developing and that they can trust you this year! Build a positive relationship with them and do your best to make them feel that they the best at school.

Fifth, if you notice that some students are not listening or following you, stop any activity you are doing and make sure that they are all listening without, of course, insulting them. Actually, this is what I used to do when I was teaching at school. If some students ignore my instructions, I very simply do not let them ignore me. I talk to their minds and make them realize that it is impossible for me to do my job and for them to learn if we don’t respect each other.

Immediately, you will both enjoy silence, order and work in a relaxed atmosphere.

Sixth, change your teaching routines!

Don't stick to the same instructions and the same activities! Vary your lesson plans! Use games, songs, visuals, elearning activities, short stories, drawing activities, jokes… Let them enjoy your lessons.

Seventh, correct the homework and check up their notebooks! If you followup your students and make them feel that you are a hardworking teacher, they would make great efforts, too. Even their parents would notice that it is going to be a special year for their children, i.e. they are lucky to have such an outstanding teacher as you.

Eighth, decorate your classroom! Report your students' efforts to the administration and ask them to reward them by organizing trips to some fantastic and popular places in Bahrain. If you help students achieve what they enjoy, be sure that they would love you and even tell the other classes that they are lucky because you are teaching them.

“Find out how to get into their hearts!”

Ninth, Be self-confident and remember that you are teaching children aged between six and fifteen! Whatever they do, never forget that by law they are still kids.

Just find out how to get into their hearts.

It's simple, easy and free. Besides, I am sure you can do it!

Mr. Emad Ben Abdulla Al-Sediri Curriculum Specialist

Volume 1, Issue 1

Kingdom of Bahrain Ministry of Education Directorate of Curricula English Language Unit (Basic Education)

Page 3

Sample Cloze Test Read and circle the right answer.

Taha Hussein was a famous Arab writer. He was on 14th November, 1889 in Egypt. At the of three, he became blind because he had very bad eye infection. At school his teachers loved because he was an excellent student. He studied religion and Arabic literature the Sorbonne University, France. When he returned to Egypt, he worked as a professor of Arabic literature in Cairo. He then many novels and essays. He published his best known book El Ayyam 1932. Finally, he in Cairo in 1973 at the age of 84 after he marked his life with his great literary works.

A– birth A– time A– the A– him A– at A– write A– in A– dies

B– born B– day B– a B– he B– on B– writes B– on B– death

C– burn C– age C– an C– his C– from C– wrote C– for C– died

This page is for all teachers in Bahrain. We hope you will share some of your ideas with us this year. We know that you have a wealth of experiences and adventures to tell us about. It only takes you a few clicks to reach us. WE ARE WAITING FOR YOUR FEEDBACK! Do not hesitate to get in touch at any time.

Why cloze tests?

Cloze tests give teachers huge opportunities to check their students’ understanding of what they are reading and their ability to use a variety of techniques and strategies to choose the right form or tense. Besides, such tests are very objective and reliable.

More Fun… A Sample Writing Activity Writing One: You are spending your holiday with your family in Dubai. Write a letter to your friend Ahmed Salah about your stay there.

(Do not write more than 120 words.)

Paragraph 1: Opening remarks – purpose of writing Paragraph 2: Where you are? What you are doing? Places you visited? Things you did?

Paragraph 3: The weather? Feelings? Invite him/her to join you.

Paragraph 4: Closing remarks

Kingdom of Bahrain Ministry of Education Directorate of Curricula English Language Unit (Basic Education) curriculabh@yahoo.com +973 17 27 86 16 +973 17 24 34 72

“Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.”

John Cotton Dana

Editorial Team: Dr. Nawal Al-Khaja Mr. Emad Al-Sediri