Teaching assistants, have you been using these two methods to manage the class?
“Be quiet!” – Is this the phrase you often use when the class becomes noisy and unfocused? However, sometimes its effectiveness is not as expected. So how can you make the class both lively and manageable?
As a teaching assistant, besides equipping yourself with a lot of knowledge, you should also know how to manage the class intelligently if you want to make sure that students concentrate throughout the learning process. And just by applying two methods – attracting students’ attention and using smart reward-punishment methods, your class will become more interesting than ever!
Let’s explore with VUS the ways to capture students’ attention in the next two images!
I. Two techniques for getting students’ attention that you shouldn’t miss!
Become a skilled teaching assistant by combining powerful verbal commands with non-verbal cues such as eye contact and facial expressions. There’s no need to shout at students who are talking while the teacher is lecturing, as it will only interrupt the lesson. Instead, try approaching and lightly tapping on the desk of those students, signaling “no talking” with a serious look, and the kids will surely quiet down immediately.
Additionally, there are some other great tips that teaching assistants can use:
- Use a countdown from 3…2…1 to get students to stop their activities and focus on the lesson.
- Praise a well-behaved student, as children often want to be recognized and respected. This will encourage other students to also strive for good behavior.
- Implement a rewards system to motivate students to work hard and earn a deserving “prize”.
Smart rewards and punishments can boost students’ enthusiasm and create a more dynamic classroom atmosphere. Discover effective tips for implementing these techniques by clicking on the next image.
II. Effective Classroom Management with Smart "Reward and Punishment" Strategies!
1. The power of encouragement
We often focus on mistakes and overlook small efforts. However, praise can be a real motivation for students to feel loved and cared for. With the desire to receive praise and attention from adults, they will try harder to achieve higher results. Don’t hesitate to give praise, even if it’s just for a small effort: “Amazing!”, “Good job!”, “Well done!”
2. A gift of inspiration
“One star for you” – “You’ve earned a sticker!”
Gifts like colorful stickers or small stars in competitions hold great value in uplifting spirits and motivating students to actively participate in lessons. By exchanging 5 stars for 1 sticker or completing a workbook for 1 sticker, students will feel that their efforts are worth it!
3. Positive Discipline
Instead of focusing on punishment and negative evaluation, recognizing positive contributions and guiding students to “restructure their behavior” is the key to helping them maintain discipline while maximizing their potential. Setting guidelines for incorrect behavior to receive a “sad face” and encouraging students to try to change and turn it into a “happy face” is an effective way to create a positive and encouraging learning environment.
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.
VUS offers a professional workplace for young, dynamic Teaching Assistants – a place where you can learn, affirm your value, and contribute to the success of Vietnamese learners.
As a Teaching Assistant at VUS, you will enjoy:
- An international-standard environment: Modern facilities and daily English communication to boost your confidence.
- Practical soft skills: Strengthen communication, time management, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
- Friendly and dynamic teammates: Learn, support each other, and bond through exciting team activities.
- A clear career pathway: More than just a part-time job, this role is a solid stepping stone toward becoming an English teacher or full-time staff in the future.
Start your teaching journey with VUS today!
