๐จโ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ฅ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ๐ฆ ๐ช๐๐ง๐๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ – ๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ข๐ช!
๐ค Have you ever asked yourself:
โWhy isn’t my student participating in any activities?โ
“What games can brighten up the class?”
โHow can I save time so the class isnโt rushed?โ
๐ฅฒ If you have wondered about these questions, perhaps your class is having some problems and isnโt going smoothly. This may range from shy students isolating themselves to the whole class not feeling happy or you yourself struggling with managing classroom time. Letโs take a look at how we can solve these troublesome problems via these photos.
MAKE WAY FOR THE SHY TO SHINE
Just like a mini version of society, there are all kinds of students in your class. One of the most common would be the shy students, also known as โwallflowersโ, those who usually distance themselves from the class. Too afraid to take part in activities, too unsure to give answers, you name it. Shy students can slow your lesson down as you need to be patient with them, but donโt try to rush it by putting them under the spotlight because haste only makes waste.
๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐บ๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐ด๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฝ ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ: this narrows down the number of faces students have to talk to, which makes it less competitive and stressful for them so they can open up more. This type of activity is also ideal for students to discuss, peer check, or practice speaking by role playing; thus enhancing their confidence and competency.
๐ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐บ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ so the high energy level can pull them up and help them become more sociable. Be sure to monitor them so both students are able to share their ideas.
๐ ๐๐๐ธ โ๐ฐ๐ต๐ผ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒโ ๐พ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ that youโre sure they can answer. Instead of yes/no questions, you can ask them to select from a range of options. For example, โWhat do you want for dinner? Hamburgers, spaghetti or pizza?โ. By responding to these questions, students can practice pronouncing the words instead of just giving simple yes/no answers. Open-ended questions might pose difficulties because they have to say more than they are willing to, so start simple and slowly work your way up.
LEARNING VIA PLAYING ISN'T
A BAD THING
When students play games, they become more interested in their learning, taught knowledge is reinforced and class positivity is improved. Teachers should incorporate games in key periods of the class such as lesson revision or practice. Here are some suggestions so you can keep the classroom fun and effective:
๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฟ๐: Students walk around the chairs while you play some music. Stop the music randomly and have the students sit down as quickly as possible. The student left standing up has to read out loud the words on the flashcards. This adds the fun element to the vocabulary memorizing process.
๐ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ฎ๐๐ผ: Students sit in a circle and pass a ball around the circle while music plays in the background. If one drops the ball, they are out. When the music stops, the person holding the โhot potatoโ has to read out loud the words on the flashcards.
๐ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐: Divide your class into groups, pick one student from each group to take the โhot seatโ, which is put at the front of the class and faces the students. Once a word is on the board, ask the other students to describe it using actions, synonyms, or antonyms so the student in the “hot seat” can determine what it means.
One great thing about activities like these is that they are fun, easy to play and can be used in many age groups or levels. Try them and see your class enjoying themselves while learning.
THE TEACHING ASSISTANTS ARE THERE FOR YOU
If you teach very young or young learners classes, VUS will provide a teaching assistant to help you out during lessons. Donโt forget to involve them! TAs are often university students and are very energetic, so they can be a great help in your class. Here are some ways how they can assist you:
๐ ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ผ๐ป๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐: As discussed previously, showing the students how to do a class activity is much more effective than just giving verbal instructions, especially in young kids classes. Having a TA turning your words into actions can save you a lot of time, and students get excited when they see their teacher playing the game!
๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐น๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ป๐: Have you ever had your students forgetting the lessons you taught them the day before? And you have to spend some time to remind them what theyโve learned? This will not be a problem if you have a TA in your class. They are responsible for helping students review previous lessons before the class starts and keep the class going well.
With nearly 30 years of experience in English education in Vietnam, VUS has grown its network to 73 campuses and more than 2,700 qualified teaching staff nationwide.
VUS is proud to be recognized with two awards at the Vietnam Technology Excellence Awards 2025, honored as an Inspirational Brand at APEA for two consecutive years, and acknowledged through various national and international awards.
When joining VUS, teachers and teaching assistants enjoy a wide range of practical benefits that support long-term growth and commitment:
- Stable income: Steady and fair rewards for your efforts, allowing you to focus on teaching and growth.
- Ongoing professional training: Structured onboarding with entrance workshops and continuous support via sharing sessions and the Training Hub, led by Teaching Quality Managers holding masterโs or doctoral degrees and extensive teaching experience.
- Modern, international-standard facilities: Diverse teaching tools, updated materials, and well equipped classrooms for a professional working environment.
- Engaging internal events: Activities that create opportunities to relax, connect with colleagues, and recharge your energy.
- Supportive colleagues: Work with a team that is always ready to share, support, and grow together.
- Clear career advancement: A transparent career path with many opportunities to challenge yourself and grow into higher roles.
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VUS offers a professional workplace where you can strengthen your skills, grow your career, and inspire young learners across Vietnam:
– Expatriate Teachers: Experience teaching in Vietnam with international standards, integration support, and career development opportunities.
– Vietnamese Teachers: Continuously sharpen your expertise while helping students reach out to the world.
– Teaching Assistants: The first step to explore the teaching profession and gain valuable real-life classroom experience.
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Start your teaching journey with VUS today!
