The Kate Languages Podcast - S1 Ep4 - Classroom Management, Danish Style!

In this episode of the Kate Languages Podcast, I talked about classroom management strategies, based on a brilliant book called "The Danish Way of Parenting" by Jessica Joelle Alexander and Iben Dissing Sandhal. They have a brilliant website as well, which you can find here.

Classroom Management, Danish Style: The PARENT Approach

P - Play

When we talk about play in the classroom, we're not just talking about structured games or competitions (although those can be great too). We're talking about free play - the kind that teaches kids to be less anxious and more resilient. Now, I know what you're thinking - how on earth can we incorporate free play into our lessons? Well, it's all about creating an atmosphere where students can be a bit freer and use their imagination.

In language classes, instead of just handing out a list of 10 words to learn, why not encourage students to explore and find words they're interested in? Let them push their boundaries a bit. Maybe they could try to find a really tricky word to pronounce and challenge themselves to master it. The possibilities are endless!

But here's the important bit - while we want to challenge our students, we need to provide scaffolding too. As Mary Myatt talks about in her book "The Curriculum: Gallimaufry to Coherence," we should aim for high challenge and low stakes. Create an environment where students can push themselves and make mistakes without fear. Remember, mistake-making is part of learning!

A - Authenticity

Being authentic as a teacher can be tough, especially when it comes to admitting we don't know something. But it's one of the most important things we can do, particularly as language teachers. We can't possibly know every word in a language, and it's okay to show our students that.

Emotional honesty is part of authenticity too. I'm not saying you should tell your class about your massive row with your partner last night, but it's okay to admit when you're tired or having a tough day. It shows you're human, and believe it or not, the kids appreciate that.

Another aspect of authenticity is allowing students to have emotions too. If a student is having an off day, acknowledge it. You might say something like, "I can see you're not feeling great today. Is everything alright?" Even if they don't want to talk about it, just showing that you've noticed can make a big difference.

When it comes to praise, focus on process praise rather than just praising achievements. Praise effort, perseverance, and strategies. It might feel a bit unnatural at first, but it's so beneficial. And whatever you do, avoid comparing students to each other, especially siblings. Each student is an individual, and comparisons can be really harmful.

R - Reframing

Reframing is all about realistic optimism. It's not about ignoring feelings or being toxically positive, but about reframing negative ideas into something more constructive. For instance, instead of a student saying, "I'm bad at French," encourage them to say, "I'm trying to get better at French."

As teachers, we need to avoid limiting language too. Instead of labelling a student as "chatty" or "argumentative," try to reframe it. Maybe they're passionate or good at defending their ideas. If a student is stubborn, they might be a hard worker who perseveres.

You can also use humour to reframe negative situations. For example, if a student says they did badly on a German test, you might say, "Did you accidentally write it in French?" It lightens the mood and can lead to a more constructive conversation about how to improve.

E - Empathy

Empathy is crucial in the classroom, especially in language learning. Speaking a foreign language can be terrifying, particularly for students who've never been to another country or experienced a different language environment. As language teachers, we need to have a lot of empathy for our students.

One way to increase your empathy is to put yourself in the learner's position. Many teachers who take my online language lessons say it makes them more empathetic because they're reminded of what it's like to be a language learner.

Remember, the people in your classroom are human beings with emotions and lives outside of your class. Some of their lives might be pretty tough. By showing empathy, acknowledging emotions, and trying to understand the reasons behind behaviour, we can create a more positive learning environment.

N - No Ultimatums

The concept of "no ultimatums" is about being authoritative rather than authoritarian. An authoritarian teacher is demanding and not responsive, expecting students to be little robots. An authoritative teacher, on the other hand, has high expectations but is also responsive and supportive.

In Danish schools, teachers and students often create classroom rules together at the beginning of the year. They also decide on consequences for breaking these rules. For example, in one class, if someone was being too noisy, the whole class had to stand up, clap their hands three times, and walk around the room. It sounds annoying, right? But it's a great way to give students ownership over their learning environment.

The key here is to avoid yelling or creating an atmosphere of fear. I'll be honest - I've been that teacher who's shouted and given ultimatums. But it doesn't work. It just makes you tired and fed up, and it doesn't feel authentic.

Instead, try to create an atmosphere where you're supportive and responsive, but still have high expectations. It's about avoiding problems rather than punishing, and avoiding power struggles. If a student complains about homework, for instance, acknowledge their feelings and try to find a solution together. You might say, "I hear that you don't like homework. I understand. But it's important for your learning. How can we make it easier for you to complete?"

T - Togetherness and Hygge

The Danish concept of "hygge" is all about cosiness and comfort. While you can't exactly light candles or sit around a fireplace in your classroom, you can create a welcoming atmosphere. When students walk into your room, they should feel comfortable and at ease.

One way to foster togetherness is to think of the class as a team. Acknowledge that not everyone will be in a great mood every day, but create an atmosphere where people try to put aside their personal issues for the benefit of the whole group.

Group projects can be a great way to build this team feeling. Yes, I know they can be a nightmare sometimes, but when they're planned well, with students aware of each other's strengths and weaknesses, they can be really effective.

Another idea is to have a class song - maybe a foreign language song you've studied together. You could play it at the beginning or end of class to create a sense of shared identity.

Finally, encourage students to take ownership of the physical classroom space. In my classes, students always tidied up before leaving. It might seem like a small thing, but it helps create a sense of responsibility and care for the shared environment.

To sum up, the PARENT approach - Play, Authenticity, Reframing, Empathy, No ultimatums, and Togetherness - offers a framework for creating a positive, supportive classroom atmosphere. It's about giving students opportunities to explore and make mistakes, being honest and allowing emotions, reframing negative situations, showing empathy, avoiding authoritarian behaviour, and fostering a sense of community.

Now, I know this might sound a bit idealistic, especially if you're in a school with challenging behaviour. But even small steps in this direction can make a big difference. It's not about completely transforming your teaching overnight, but gradually building these elements into your practice.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this approach. Do you already use some of these strategies? Do you think they could work in your classroom? Get in touch with me at Kate Languages on Facebook or Instagram, or email [email protected].

Remember, good relationships with your students are the best form of classroom management. It takes time and effort, but it's so worth it.