how can I use communicative activities in a class of 7 grade (47 students) (homework, teachers)

[cmoya15]

Hello! I really want to use more communicative activities inside the classroom but there are almost 50 students inside the classroom and they love to talk also they do not behave very well. what can I do in order to make them talk and still be able to control the class. ( I am studying English pedagogy by the way and this is my last year)

[lhpartridge]

Have you thought about dividing the class into 8 groups and having them prepare and present together? I found that most of the students were excited about working with each other and motivated to earn a good grade. Are your students motivated to earn grades? Are the parents supportive regarding conduct issues?

[cmoya15]

I am scared to make them work in team because my mentor teacher is too teacher centered and will criticize me if I do that. I do believe that if I make them work cooperatively in order to earn good grades they will do it but thats the problems I am scared of the actions that my mentor teacher can do! and finally I do not believe parents are interesting at all about what their kids do

[HN3]

That is a VERY big class for one teacher.

Could you give us some more details such as:

-grade level
-subject; is it English?
-do students and teachers have access to technology: Chromebooks, Google classroom, overhead projector and screen like a Hitachi or Epson LCD or LED projector so you can project what's on your computer screen

[cmoya15]

Originally Posted by HN3

That is a VERY big class for one teacher.

Could you give us some more details such as:

-grade level
-subject; is it English?
-do students and teachers have access to technology: Chromebooks, Google classroom, overhead projector and screen like a Hitachi or Epson LCD or LED projector so you can project what's on your computer screen

its seven grade
its English
just projector because my mentor teacher do not allow me to use technology

I really struggle with this because I want students to love English but my teacher is super "teacher center"
so she does not allow me to do more engaging and interactive activities

[lhpartridge]

Can you give some examples of the kinds of exercises that your mentor teacher is asking you to do?
What exposure do your students have to English outside your classroom? Can you assign them homework that would be more engaging that might be based on any exposure to English in their daily lives? What is their native language? Are you expected to speak English to them exclusively in class?

Sorry about all the questions. I really want you to be successful at both meeting the expectations of your mentor teacher and also at being able to be more communicative in class. I'm going to spend my summer trying to plan more communicative activities. I also plan to base a lot of them on current events, as well as topics of cultural interest. I've got a few things that I've already tried with some success.

Seventh grade is really difficult. I've always said since observing a 7th grade class that if you could successfully teach 7th grade, then you could solve the problems of the world. Hang in there.