Teenagers afraid of each other even after being together for 2 years.
Alright, asking for help and also venting a bit. In the picture is a group discussion activity. The idea is to have them brainstorm some ideas while engaging in discussion. I put them in groups and gave them a handout.
Pretty normal so far. Normal teenage behavior to be shy with each other so I guided them in the discussion at first then let them discuss in their own. Once I stepped away, they stopped talking and just stared at each other. Both groups.
It’s like they had no idea how to talk to each other. B1+ students, so they know the basics. They also have known each other for almost three years. Almost just as long as I’ve been at this English center. They aren’t strangers.
We’ve talked about this subject before as well. This was the unit wrap up presentation lesson. For the project (presentation) I decided to go with new groups. They usually just work with the person next to them. But theres two students who are much weaker than the rest of the class. So I put them with stronger students. They were pissed. They were basically mute until they had to give their presentations. Even during break time they were afraid to get up from their chairs as they usually do. It was so strange given they know each other pretty well.
9 students. I’ve never encountered this in my teaching career. I’ve had classes that start out like this, but never persist as long as this class has. I’ve only had them for one 15 week course and I can’t get them out of their shell to save my life. No amount of baamboozles or kahoots seem to work. Every time I say “stand up” I can feel the air leave the room.
Any/all advice and criticism is welcome. 🙏