The quandary of negative class participation: coming to terms with misbehaviour in the language classroom

Abstract

Although negative class participation—the wide range of passive and active behaviours that are detrimental to classroom learning—is a common occurrence in the EFL/ESL classroom, the topic has received scant attention in teacher-training texts and TESOL literature. This article introduces and defines the term; discusses some of the causes of negative class participation; and presents humane and effective ways of both preventing its occurrence, and of responding to it when it does occur. The seven types of negative class participation considered are: (1) disruptive talking; (2) inaudible response; (3) sleeping in class; (4) tardiness and poor attendance; (5) failure to complete homework; (6) cheating on tests and quizzes; and (7) unwillingness to speak in the target language.

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