Problems faced by teachers

10. Common Classroom Problems

1. Students become overly dependent on the 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. This will help to make students more comfortable and more willing to answer (even if incorrectly).

2. Persistent use of first-language

When teaching English as a foreign language, this is possibly the most common problem. As an ESL teacher, it's important to encourage students to use English and only English. However, if students begin conversing in their first language, move closer. 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 someone 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.

3. A 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, i.e. boring material or poor classroom management. If it is one particular student, you should react swiftly to show dominance. In order to resolve the issue, an ESL teacher must be strict and institute discipline if needed. If it continues to happen, further disciplinary action through the school's director could be pursued.

4. Students "hijack lesson"—The lesson doesn't 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 don't want it to go, it's important to correct the problem by diverting the conversation.

5. Personalities clash.

Not everyone in an ESL classroom will become the best of friends. If drama arises between certain students, the easiest solution is to separate them from one another. If the tension persists, switching a student to another classroom may be your only option.

6. Students unclear what to do, or do the wrong thing.

This happens far too often when teaching English as a foreign language. The fact is, it's often the fault of the teacher. If your instructions to an assignment yield look of confusion and soft whispers among students, don't worry: there is a solution. In order to avoid this problem, it's 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.

7. Students are bored, inattentive, or unmotivated.

Many times, it is the teacher's 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 pupils and identify their interests and needs, then design your course accordingly.

8. Strong student dominance

As an ESL teacher, you will encounter learners with different capabilities and language skills. While it is good to have some students who excel in the classroom, it is important that they don't take away from others. If certain students begin to constantly "steal the show," take care. 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.

9. Students are unprepared

The last thing you want as an ESL teacher is for learners 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.

10. 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 to other students. If tardiness becomes a problem for members of your class, make sure they are disciplined. Set rules about tardiness and penalties for breaking them.

-Arti Sharma, email sns@dbntrust.in
Extract from the article Teaching ESL: 10 Common Problems in the Classroom www.owlcation.com

1st Report on CSR in Private Unlisted Companies in India Inbox x

Over 1/3rd of private limited companies fail to meet CSR compliance, 9% could not find good partners

India’s largest development and CSR platform-NGOBOX has published a report on ÇSR spend analysis of private limited companies. This is the first report on CSR analysis of unlisted privately owned companies in India, after the enactment of the Companies Act 2013.

The report is based on the analysis of 305 privately owned unlisted companies, including a few of the biggest brands like Google, IBM, Microsoft, Barclays, HSBC, Sony, LG, Samsung, Visa etc operating in India. The report brings out analysis of the prescribed CSR spend and actual CSR spent of the financial year 2015-16.

According to the report, 39% of the private unlisted companies failed to meet the CSR compliance that requires 2% of the average net profit of the previous three years to be spent on CSR projects. However, 29% companies went beyond mandatory CSR limit. While almost 2% of the companies did not spend any amount on the CSR, despite having mandatory CSR spend requirements.

This report was compiled on the basis of availability of CSR data as of 31st January 2017 from relevant sources and companies with prescribed CSR of INR 15 lacs or above.

Out of 305 companies, only one company had prescribed CSR range of more than 100 crores. Most of the companies (156) had a prescribed CSR which ranged between 1-10 crore. As few as 14 companies had prescribed CSR between the ranges of 10-100 crores.

The total prescribed CSR of 305 companies amounted to Rs 954.18 crore and the actual CSR spent was around 707.87 crores. The total unspent CSR was rounded off to 26% whilst actual CSR spent to prescribe CSR was 74%.

Implementing agencies remained the popular method by which the project was implemented as 62% (1020) projects were implemented through Implementing Agencies followed by the direct implementation which amounted to the implementation of 36% projects. Only 2% projects were implemented through CSR Foundations.

Moving on to the unspent CSR, 118 companies did not spend the prescribed amount on the CSR and 24 companies (20% of those who did not spend) did not explain the reason behind their unspent CSR budget, whilst 19% of the companies suggested that their project begins next year. Under the Companies Act, it is mandatory to give a reason for unspent CSR amount.

Education & Skilling were the areas where the most CSR spending happened. 

According to the analysis, Education & Skilling were the areas where the most CSR spending happened. Almost 50% of projects took place in this area followed by Poverty Alleviation, Malnutrition, WASH, and Healthcare where 23% of the actual CSR budget was spent. Overall 7% of the actual CSR spent was on administrative expenses.   Areas like benefits to armed forces veterans, war widows, urban slum development etc. were not able to get much attention of CSR committees of these companies.

The geographic distribution of CSR funds has been quite erratic and unequal. Top 5 states (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana and Tamil Nadu) received almost 2/3rd of the total CSR funds. Meanwhile, Maharashtra topped the list by receiving 1/4th of the total CSR fund (i.e. 27%) followed by Karnataka with 11% of the funds received.

About NGOBOX
NGOBOX (a venture of Renalysis Consultants Pvt Ltd) is a development communication platform helping companies, CSR foundations, NGOs and social enterprise to network, communicate and find resources online and offline. It’s also the host of India’s largest annual CSR forum Índia CSR Summit & Exhibition’. For more information visit www.ngobox.org or www.indiacsrsummit.in. For any query/feedback  write to us at csr@ngobox.org