Anonymous Answer

While working with young students of English or teenagers, one is likely to have a troublesome student in their group sooner or later. To minimize troublemaking among young students, I use the Whole Brain Teaching method which includes setting clear rules from day one and rehearsing them regularly in a fun way. It also involves creating team spirit and focusing on the goal which helps manage difficult students. When it comes to teenagers, I always ask myself what I am doing wrong and what needs of the troublemaker I might be neglecting. They might be related or unrelated to our classroom routine, like their wish to prove themselves as a group leader or their problems with their group mates. Then I am trying to change my behavior so that the troublemaker has to change theirs. Say, I may give them more responsibilities to emphasize their importance in the group or find out what problem they might have with other students. Whatever the reason is, I remember that I can't just neglect such students.