4.0.

COMMUNICATING YOUR EXPECTATIONS

Expectations...say them, repeat them and start the year with
them. Be consistent and follow through. — Audrey Fisher

4.1. Expectations of behaviour

With any new class (adults or children), it is always worth taking the time to communicate your
expectations to your students, and to engage in dialogue as to what is and what isn’t
“acceptable” classroom behaviour.

Negotiate the classroom norms with your students at the beginning of the term/course and pin
up a short list of rules (maximum 5) somewhere in the class. Refer to the list either verbally or
with a gesture when students are in danger of breaking the rules.

In order to emphasise your expectations of appropriate behaviour the rules should be stated in
a positive way, rather than negative. For example, “Remember to switch off your mobile
phones” rather than “No mobile phones allowed”. A catch-all rule such as “Follow directions
the first time they are given” will help to cover problems that are not addressed specifically.

With adults, frequently a simple reminder will suffice, and with younger learners your school
will already have in place a system of consequences for infraction of rules. Make sure your
students know what the consequences* are for each infraction (*please note we do not talk
about “punishment”!!!).