TERM PAPER

School year: 2015-2016

Topic: AN INVESTIGATION INTO

DIFFICULTIES OF AHS STUDENTS
PRESENTATION AND SUGGESTED
SOLUTIONS

Teachers:

Luong Thi Ngoc Anh

Dinh Thi Huong Anh

OUTLINE
1. RATIONALE
2. CONTENTS:
DEFINITION AND BENEFITS OF PRESENTATION

COMMON

ISSUES

PRESENTATIONS
SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS
3. CONCLUSION

IN

ELEMENTARY

STUDENTS

1. RATIONALE
Presentation is a great way to practise a wide range of skills and to
build the general confidence of our students. Applying it to Workshop,
Assignments, or Clubs, students have chance to exchange their ideas
to the teachers and friends as well as learn something from them.
However, to have a good and effective presentation, our students are
struggling with some problems which make their presentations be
disturbed. That is the reason why AN INVESTIGATION INTO
DIFFICULTIES

OF

AHS

STUDENTS

PRESENTATION

AND

SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS is chosen to provide teachers information

to help our students with a more qualified and effective presentations.

2. CONTENTS
a/ Definition And Benefits of Presentation
A presentation is a means of communication that can be
adapted to various speaking situations, such as talking to a
group, addressing a meeting or briefing a team.
A presentation can also be used as a broad term that encompasses
other speaking engagements such as making a speech at a wedding,
or getting a point across in a video conference.
To be effective, step-by-step preparation and the method and means of
presenting the information should be carefully considered.
A presentation requires you to get a message across to the listeners
and will often contain a 'persuasive' element. It may, for example, be a
talk about the positive work of your organisation, what you could offer
an employer, or why you should receive additional funding for a
project.
Presentation is a great way to have students practise all
language systems areas (vocabulary, grammar, discourse and
phonology)

and

skills

(speaking,

reading,

writing

and

listening). It also builds confidence, and presenting is a skill that most

people will need in the world of work. I find that students who are good
presenters are better communicators all round, since they are able to
structure and express their ideas clearly.
Presentation skills are extremely useful both in and outside the
classroom. After completing a project, a presentation is a channel for
students to share with others what they have learned. It is also a
chance to challenge and expand on their understanding of the topic by

having others ask questions. And in the world of work, a confident

presenter is able to inform and persuade colleagues effectively.
Presentations can also form a natural part of task based learning. By
focussing on a particular language point or skill, the presentation is a
very practical way to revise and extend book, pair and group work. The
audience can also be set a task, for example, a set of questions to
answer on the presentation, which is a way of getting students to listen
to each other.
b/ Common issues
Students become overly dependent on teacher
Many times, students will automatically look to the teacher for correct
answers instead of trying themselves. If the teacher obliges them with
the answer each time, it can become a detrimental problem. Instead,
focus on giving positive encouragement to students. This will help to
make students more comfortable and more willing to answer (even if
incorrectly).

Persistent use of first-language

When teaching English as a foreign language, this is possibly the most
common problem. As an ESL teacher, its important to encourage
students to use English, and only English. However, if students begin
conversing in their first language, move closer to the student. Ask
them direct questions like do you have a question? Another idea is to
establish a set of class rules and develop a penalty system for when
they use their first-language. For example: if a student is caught using

their first-language three times, have them recite a poem in front of

the class (in English). Remember, for the 1-2 hours they are in English
class, it must be English only.

Student is defiant, rowdy, or distracting of others

This will happen, no matter what, in every classroom. If the entire class
is acting up, it may be the fault of the teacher ie. boring material or
poor classroom management. If it one particular student, you should
react swiftly to show dominance. In order to resolve the issue, an ESL
teacher must be strict and discipline the student if needed. If it
continues to happen, further disciplinary action through the schools
director could be pursued.

Students hijack lesson The lesson doesnt go where

you want it to
When teaching English as a foreign language, you can always count on
students hijacking a lesson. To some extent, this can be a good thing. It
shows that students interest, and as long as they are participating and
conversing in English, it is a productive experience. However, if the
lesson strays too far off topic, in a direction you dont want it to go, its
important to correct the problem by diverting the conversation.

Personalities between students clash

Not every student in an ESL classroom will become best of friends. If

drama arises between certain students, the easiest solution is to
seperate them away from one another. If the tension persists,
switching a student to another classroom may be your only option.

Students unclear what do to, or do the wrong thing

This happens far too often when teaching English as a foreign
language. The fact is, its often the fault of the teacher. If your
instructions to an assignment yield looks of confusion and soft
whispers among students, dont worry, there is a solution. In order to
avoid this problem, its important to make sure your instruction are
clear. Use gestures, mime, and short concise sentences. Speak clear
and strong. Most importantly, use models and examples of the activity.
You can use pictures, miming, gestures etc. to model the entire activity
exactly how you want the students to do it.

Students are bored, inattentive, or unmotivated

Many times, it is the teachers fault that class is boring. Fortunately,
with proper planning, this problem can be solved. Choose a juicy
theme to the lesson; one that the students can relate to and one you
know they will enjoy. This will automatically give them some motivation
and interest. Get to know your students and identify their interests and
needs, then design your course accordingly.

 Strong student dominance

As an ESL teacher, you will encounter students of different learning
capabilities and language skills. While it is good to have some students
who excel in the classroom, it is important that they dont take away
from others. If certain students begin to constantly steal the show,
take warning. Focus on calling on weaker students in the class to
answer questions. Encourage, but gently deflect some answers from
the strong students and give production time to other not-so-strong
members of the class.

Students are unprepared

The last thing you want as an ESL teacher is for students to drop out
simply because they felt lost and/or unprepared. Concentrate on a
more shared learning experience. Make sure students are all on the
same page before moving onto a new topic by concept checking
multiple times, and encouraging individual participation.

Tardiness
Even I have a hard time arriving places on time. But the truth is,
tardiness is not only rude, it can be distracting and disruptive of other
students. If tardiness becomes a problem for your students, make sure
they are disciplined. Set rules about tardiness and penalties for
breaking them.

c/ Solution suggestions
Set the rules at the first meeting -> clear to understand
* Establish the plus (follow the rules) and minus (break the rules)
2. Respect by remembering their names
Speak only when students are quiet and ready
* Wait until the students are quiet.
* Slowly but surely, the students would cue each other: "sshh, she's
trying to tell us something," "come on, stop talking," and "hey guys, be
quiet."
Use a normal, natural voice
- Talk at a normal, pleasant volume.
-

Differentiate the tone.

+ Ask students to put away their notebooks and get into their groups
=> make declarative sentences
+ Ask a question about a character in a short story, or about
contributions => use an inviting tone.
Address behavior issues quickly and wisely
Apply positive approach:
+ Mary, I would like you to look at the board. Thank you >< Mary,
stop chatting and look at the board
+ Jody, today will be the most beautiful day of the week if you raise
your hand. >< Jody, Ive told you dont shout out.

Students have conflicts with each other arrange for the students to
meet with you after or before school. Use neutral language as you act
as a mediator, helping them resolve the problem peacefully, or at least
reach an agreement.
Always have a well-designed, engaging lesson
* Bored students trouble!
* If the lesson is poorly planned, students have no interest in learning
and discovering the lessons side talking
Praise is a powerful tool.
Encourage the entire class to study
Welcome feedback from your students.
Give the students paper to write down the feedback ( no names on it )
or ask some simple questions:
+ Do you like the lesson today?
+ What do I need to know about your learning style to teach you more
effectively?

3. Conclusion:
Benefits of classroom management
Safety

If a teacher has control of her classroom, it is less likely that a

fight will break out or violence will occur. By establishing clear and
consistent standards of behavior teachers can ensure that their classes
are organized and productive, and that students do not have the
opportunity to engage in fights or inflict harm on another student.
Additionally, by punishing students who name call or are disrespectful
to others, teachers reduce the likelihood that verbal conflicts will
escalate and become physical.
Positive Class Environment Building

Students work more productively, and share more openly, when

there

is

positive

classroom

environment.

Through

behavior

management, teachers can create an atmosphere of mutual respect in

which all classroom participants feel safe to share their options without
risk of censure. Without classroom management, students will likely
feel that they are not free to speak their mind or participate, as their
peers may make them feel unwelcome or unworthy.
More Teaching Time

Time spent dealing with continuous behavioral interruptions is

time taken away from teaching. By setting up clear behavior
expectations and consequences at the beginning of the year, teachers
can create a fluid and productive class in which time is spent engaging
in educational activities, not responding to student misbehaviors.

Relationship Building

Through effective classroom management, teachers can build

healthy and mutually respectful relationships with their students, and
allow students to build these positive relationships with their peers.
Effective classroom management ensures that students interact
appropriately, allowing for them to create and strengthen relationships.
Preparation for Workforce

Many students eagerly look forward to adulthood, thinking that

they will be free of the restrictive rules and guidelines that they follow
in school daily. However, as any adult knows, succeeding in the adult
world is all about following rules. To be a productive citizen, you must
follow laws, abide by workplace restrictions and follow community
regulations. Classroom rules help prepare students to successfully
follow the rules that will dictate their actions later in life.