Choose between Favourite Teacher and Strict Teacher

[Tutor]

Both of them have their pros and cons

Being a Favourite Teacher the best part is students love you very much. They care for you. However they often take you for granted and it becomes hard to say them "NO".

Being a Strict Teacher you are aware that students will be attentive to you. Again on the other hand they would remain cut-off and may not share their ideas with you.

[exported_kiwi]

I'm a bit of both and somehow I manage to pull off the balancing act so they think I'm cool, but they know not to mess with me. I usually explain the rules in the first class, make them write the rules down in a place of prominence in their English exercise book. Each time they open the book, they see the rules and they know the consequences of breaking them. The punishments are anything from a detention to a few times running around a track or block etc. Adults get treated the same way with me and there are no exceptions, none at all! They see this as being fair and equal, important in China, and they accept that my way IS the way inside the classroom.

I also allow them to criticise me as long as it's active criticism. I allow them far more latitude than their Chinese teachers give them and it pays off. The downside is that they frequently ask questions about all sorts of other things that aren't, in any way, associated with school, or learning English... stuff like relationship problems etc. I always try to integrate some life lessons into my lessons because these kids have no experience at all, as restricted as they are by study and parents etc. I, in no way, usurp the parents role and constantly tell them that they must obey their parents and the rules etc, but I also give them viable alternatives to their everyday problems etc. It also helps that they know that they can talk to someone who will say nothing to anybody else, and that they won't lose face, because nobody else will know!

Works for me!
A few cents more,

[Tutor]

Ya right. Ofcourse, Balance is the key. Also it totally depends upon the individual. But as you said you were open and the students (children or adults) shared their personal experience with you.

Its really tough in any other career to do so. Here this becomes a part of your teaching course in one sense (as you need to mix with the students). Great being a teacher as you are able to meet and understand different people.