English teaching talks – Classroom management
In this series of six short videos, Nick Mathei shares his top tips for classroom management to help create the best environment for your learners to be engaged in lessons and reach their potential. He includes practical ideas for managing the learners, ourselves, the materials we use and the lesson time. Nick talks about:
- building rapport with learners
- incorporating classroom management into the lesson plan
- involving your learners in establishing class rules
- consistently keeping records about learners
- engaging learners with strong starts to lessons.
Pre-viewing task
Before you watch the videos, take a moment to reflect on your own classroom practice. If you're working through this resource with colleagues, discuss your responses together. Otherwise, make notes of your ideas.
- What routines or strategies do you use to make your classroom feel safe, supportive and inclusive?
- What do you do to maintain learners' attention and interest during a lesson?
- How do you keep a record of your learners' progress – in terms of both behaviour and learning?
Part 1: Introduction to classroom management
In this first video, Nick explains the importance of effective classroom management strategies and introduces best practices for classroom management.
Before viewing
- Why do you think classroom management is essential for effective teaching and learning? Can you give an example from your experience?
While viewing
- Nick introduces five key areas of classroom management. Make a note of why each area is important.
Watch Introduction to classroom management
After viewing
- Which of the five areas would you like to explore further, and why?
Part 2: How to build rapport with learners
In this video, Nick talks about the importance of building strong connections with your learners to create a safer, more supportive space for learning.
Before viewing
- How often do you ask your learners about their interests or learning goals?
- Do you adapt your lessons based on what learners want or need? Why or why not?
While viewing
- What practical strategies does Nick suggest for getting to know your learners?
- Which of these strategies do you already use, or would you like to try?
Watch How to build rapport with students
After viewing
- What do you think about Nick's idea of using 'exit tickets'? Could this work in your context? Why or why not?
- Have you ever successfully engaged a learner by tapping into their personal interests? What happened?
Part 3: How to incorporate classroom management into the lesson plan
In this video, Nick explains how you can get the best from your learners by incorporating classroom management strategies into your lesson plans.
Before viewing
- Do you use a coursebook in your lessons? What do you find useful – or limiting – about using one?
- When planning lessons, how much do you rely on your previous experience with your learners? Can you think of an example of when you've done this?
While viewing
- What are the pros and cons of coursebooks, according to Nick?
- How does he tailor his lesson plans to improve learner engagement?
Watch How to incorporate classroom management into the lesson plan
After viewing
- Have you used any of Nick's strategies to make reading or listening tasks more engaging?
- Which of his ideas would you be most interested in trying, and why?
Part 4: How class rules can assist classroom management
In this video, Nick explains the benefits of classroom rules, including how they can:
- define expected behaviour and conduct
- offer greater structure to your lessons
- help you when classroom management breaks down.
Before viewing
- What are your experiences with classroom rules?
- Do you usually set the rules yourself, or involve learners in creating them? Why?
- Does the language you use in your rules tend to be positive or negative? Why does this matter?
While viewing
- Nick gives three reasons why class rules are important. What are they?
- What are the benefits of the teacher creating the rules themselves?
- What are the benefits of involving learners in setting the rules?
Watch How class rules can assist classroom management
After viewing
- Nick reflects that when discipline issues arise, he might need to change. To what extent do you agree with this idea?
- Which of Nick's suggestions could help you improve how you approach classroom rules?
Part 5: How effective record-keeping can assist classroom management
In this video, Nick explains how taking regular notes can help you track your learners' progress, behaviour and engagement, and how this information can help you improve your teaching.
Before viewing
- Do you keep records or notes about your learners? If so, what kinds of things do you usually note down – and why?
- How do your notes help you with classroom management or lesson planning?
While viewing
- According to Nick, what are the benefits of keeping regular notes on your learners?
- How can record-keeping help you notice and reflect on learner progress throughout the year?
- What practical strategies does Nick suggest for taking and organising notes? Could any of these work in your context?
Watch How effective record-keeping can assist classroom management
After viewing
- Have you already used any of the strategies Nick mentions? What worked well, or what would you change next time?
- If you don't take regular notes yet, which of Nick's ideas might work well in your context? Why?
Part 6: How to start your lesson in the right way
In this final video, Nick shares simple but effective strategies to help you start your lessons, and explains why preparation matters.
Before viewing
- Do you usually feel well prepared at the start of each lesson? Why or why not?
- What techniques do you use to capture your learners' attention in the first few minutes?
While viewing
- What strategies does Nick suggest for being prepared before the lesson starts? Do any of these match your own habits?
- What kinds of activities does he recommend for the first five minutes? Do you already use any of these, or something similar?
Watch How to start your lesson in the right way
After viewing
- Can you think of a time when the beginning of your lesson went particularly well and helped set a positive tone? What made it successful?
- Is there anything you'd like to try differently when starting your lessons after watching this video?
Reflection
- Have the videos given you any new ideas for classroom management?
- How could you build Nick's ideas into your own teaching practice?
- Which of Nick's ideas are you most eager to try?