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Step 1
Define your requirements for acceptable behavior. Do this the first day and week of class. Your initial behavior defines how your adult students behave. If you are easy going, your students will behave in relation to your easy going attitude.
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Step 2
Treat adults as adults. If you treat adults as children, they will act in a negative manner. Don't be afraid to use discipline.
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Step 3
If you discipline the adult, follow through on the discipline. For example, if a student acts up in class and you tell them they will be asked to leave the class if they act up again, be willing to remove them from class if necessary.
If you don't follow through, they will ignore ant other efforts of discipline. -
Step 4
Use reason and humor as often as possible. If a student misbehaves in class, I ask them if they expect their children to act the same way in class. If a student misbehave by talking, I stop the class and stare at them. Most of the time, it takes about 30 seconds for them to realize what I'm doing. They laugh and get the message.
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Step 5
Choose your battles wisely. Define what is acceptable behavior and what is not acceptable behavior. Don't fuss over the small stuff. Think how you might behave in that situation. Follow your instinct.
