Student from hell - what should I do?

Hi, I am a teacher. All the students are great, but in one of my classes i have a horrible student. He is not a bad "student", he prepares probably better than anybody else for the lessons (sometimes even including me - however that doesnt make him a good student, and me - a bad teacher). What is so bad about him is that he brings negative energy in the class, always moaning complaing, arguing with the teacher... This is hardly a reason to tell my boss why i dont want him in the class, because it is more personal. What should I do? By the way, the guy is middle-aged, single, probably very insecure.

Student from hell - what should I do?
DON'T TAKE S H I T FROM ANYONE.


INSULTS SWALLOWED--NONE


MEN YOU STEP ASIDE FOR--NONE


IF HE DISRUPTS THE CLASS TELL HIM, " IF YOU CONTINUE WITH THIS BEHAVIOR, I'LL THROW YOUR A S S OUT!"


IF HE IS ANNOYING TELL HIM SO. TELL HIM , " I DON'T LIKE YOUR NEGATIVE ATTITUDE. IN FACT, I DON'T LIKE YOU! STOP ALL THIS F U C K I N ARGUING OR GET THE HELL OUT OF MY CLASS. I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS S H I T!"


TELL HIM THIS IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE CLASS. DON'T BE A WIMP. IF YOU ARE SOFT WITH THIS B A S T A R D HE WILL RUN RIP SHOD OVER YOU AND THE CLASS. CUSS THE D I C K HEAD OUT. AND IF HE COMPLAINS, TELL THE BOSS THAT HE IS DISRUPTIVE.


STUDENTS ARE THERE TO LEARN IN A PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT. DO NOT SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS!!
Reply:Speak to him privately after class. Explain that he is interrupting when he complains and brings his negativity to the class. Follwo up with that you appreciate how well prepared he is, and then praise him for being one of the better students. But it would help you and the rest of the class if he would just cut out the BS.
Reply:Hi there Regina Fred, Sorry to hear that you are experiencing problems. It would appear that you are a little too sensitive, therefore, your are taking this student's actions very personally. Try not to take it personally. We cannot like everyone all of the time, and maybe your dislike of this student is becoming paramount in your mind. Firstly, I would suggest that you 'kill him with kindness.' That is to say, be extra nice to him, and try to be subjective and professional about his points of view. You can be assertive towards his negativity without being aggressive. May I suggest that you take a look at Eric Byrne's pshycological stance which is called Transactional Analysis. I am sure that this will be a vital tool in order for you to manage difficult students.


Here are three websites that may be of help and interest to you:





www.businessballs.com/transact.htm


www.itaa-net.org/


changingminds.org/explanations/behavio...


Please let me know how you get on. :o)
Reply:Whilst a lot of students learn by 'talk %26amp; chalk' have you perhaps thought that this one student doesn't learn that well by that method, but that insists on asking questions, not to challenge your authority but merely because he learns better that way. Something for you to consider perhaps.





In order for you (and the remainder of your students) not to be too disturbed by this one student, it may be a good idea to take him aside at the end of a lesson and merely inform him that he is being disruptive. He may change as a result of that. Or, given his preferred learning method, why not set him specifically testing questions for him to answer (by way of essay). That way you have perhaps satisfied his curiosity and now have a class paying full attention to your lesson.
Reply:Be sure to call on him a couple of times a class, but mix in other people.





I teach college, and in EVERY class I have a couple of people who do all their homework and speak up and a lot of slackers, so I might let the eager beavers answer the first question or two, then I'll say "I know Pablo did his homework--what do you got Pepe?" And then if the Pepes don't have anything, I let Pablo answer.
Reply:ignore him
Reply:Ask him straight out why is he taking such a negative attitude and making it hard for the rest of the students (in front of the whole class)





and if there is no improvement then say you will take steps to exclude him so everyone else can work





if everyone else claps, then you will have shamed him (you might want to prewarn a few trusted students beforehand about the clapping)
Reply:I agree partly with lyllyan and partly with MEPH.. It sounds like you have to do something for your own sake. If he is there he is obviously entitled to be.





There is nothing wrong with mature students. I did an ACCESS course at college and then a BSc degree (got a 2.1) from '97 to 2000. I am now teaching in China and at the age of 65 am doing the most useful thing in my life cf. in management in previous career.





You can not attempt to shame him in front of the class, that would probably backfire anyway. You must have a word privately outside of class time and put the situation straight to him. I feel pretty sure he would respond reasonably, he wouldn't have the fire of youthful rebellion in his veins.





BTW why would you say he is "probably very insecure" because he is middle-aged and single?
Reply:just dont include him. make him sit in the corner.
Reply:I do Key Skills for adult learners, and I usually find that the ones with the most to say, as you have said, is generally the brightest. I try to get them involved with helping the "slower" learners in my class and giving them more responsibility around the classroom. I can sympathise as I know exactly what your going through.
Reply:I'm an Adult Education tutor in the UK and sometimes have problem students, mostly older men and women who are set in their ways. I find the best approach is to take him/her aside after the class and have a quiet word. I explain that students are expected to "muck in" and make a positive contribution to the class. Most of these people don't know they are causing a problem and will toe the line when they know they are attracting unwanted attention.


Older tutors (like me) tend to be a bit paranoid about student satisfaction and job security. I try to rationalise this and get on with the job I'm paid for. No one individual can be allowed to spoil the class for everyone else (including the teacher). So "dig in" and sort out that student!
Reply:i dont no what your going through as im not a teacher but i spoke to my fella about it he used to be a bit of a pain at school and he said maybe hes bored and its not challaging for him there are so many children that getmistakenly catogorized for being the no hoper and just passed on and most of them are very clever indeed and are not being pushed to there full potential try and do some confidential questionare in class and ask questions on what his intrests are or if there is any problem at home thats bothering him or try to be interested in what he has to say it might give some clue as how he is feeling i know its not on the same level but my brother was having trouble reading he just wasnt interested and he got frustrated about it so his teacher asked him what he likes and he said football so the teacher got him magazines and books on football and he really improved he just needed that interest to begin with
Reply:two things come to mind,


one it would help to know his problems,


and 2 are you younger than him.