I remember my first teaching assignment. I was an ESL teacher in New York City, at one of the worst high schools in Manhattan. Kids would come in from some of the toughest areas – mostly in the Bronx and Brooklyn – and they most definitely did not have studying on their minds. What made it even tougher was the lack of funds, which meant classes of 40+ kids – only five of whom probably wanted to be there. My biggest problem, by far, was getting the students to stop talking so that I could actually do some teaching.

But if you think it was the fault of my administration for putting so many kids (illegally!) in the same class, consider this: I also had a class of six kids, and during that first semester, I never quite mastered how to get them to stay seated and do their work.

Thankfully, all that changed by the time my third year came around. Here are some tips for the beginner teacher who just can’t seem to get her kids to stop talking – as well as for the more seasoned educator who experiences these types of days here and there.

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