TSL 3109 Managing the Primary ESL Classroom

Theory of Democratic Teaching by Rudolf Dreikurs

PISMP SEM 5 TESL 2

Cheong Zi Hoong 910305-01-5418

4 Key Concepts of Democratic Teaching

Mistaken goals

• Seeking attention

• Power struggle

• Exacting Revenge

• Displaying Inadequacy

Democratic Style

• Democratic vs Autocratic & Permissive

Encouragement

• Effort vs Achievement

Consequences

• Logical consequences vs Punishment

The Approaches/Strategies of

Democratic Teaching

Mistaken goal

• Provide lessons with social interest in mind

• Communicate with one another

• Mutual respect

• Look for positive attributes in students

• Examine pupils behaviour patterns

Democratic style

• Discussions and teacher learns how to accept pupils’ opinion

• Students involve in making decisions in the classroom

Encouragement

• Give positive reinforcement

• Appreciate students effort of learning

• Display students work

• Don’t require perfection

Consequences

• Apply logical consequences

• Give relatable punishments to students

The Approaches/Strategies of

Democratic Teaching

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

• Make consequences understandable

• Positive reinforcement

• Promotes autonomy

• Redirect pupils’ behaviour

• Form mutual respect

• Focus on causes of misbehaviour

Weaknesses

• Difficult to respond to non controllable pupils

• May have problem in engaging conversation

• Trouble determining the actual motives

Practicality of the Theory in the

ESL classroom

When?

• Classroom activity

• Giving encouragement

• Problem with misbehaviour

How?

• Discussion, grouping

• Feedback & Display pupil’s work

• Use logical consequences

Why?

• Sense of belonging

• Positive reinforcement

• Make consequences understandable & redirect behaviour

Bibliography

• Example Abstract for Dreikers. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://web.calstatela.edu/faculty/jshindl/cm/Dreikurs%20abstract.htm

• Exploring the Theories of Democratic Teaching: Rudolf Dreikurs. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://wps.prenhall.com/chet_manning_classroom_2/47/12136/3107027.cw/index.html

• M.S.Khine, A.Lourdusamy, Q.C. Lang, Angela F.L Wong. (2005). Classroom Management : Facilitating Teaching and Learning. Pearson Prentice Hall.

• Dreikurs, R., Grunwald, B. B., & Pepper, F. C. (1971). Maintaining sanity in the classroom: Illustrated teaching techniques. New York: Harper & Row.

• ULMClassroomManagement - Rudolf Dreikurs. (n.d.). InULMClassroomManagement - home. Retrieved from http://ulmclassroommanagement.wikispaces.com/Rudolf+Dreikurs