A good working relationship with a class doesn’t just happen; it takes time and effort from the teacher. You will gain respect by teaching effectively and by motivating the students.

DO

• Speak clearly and at a level suitable for the class.
• Make your lessons interesting by being well prepared and organised. Introduce variety and novelty in your teaching. Too many lessons are humdrum repetitions of the same sort of stuff done in the same old way.
• Show that you are enthusiastic about what you teach – attitudes are contagious.
• Take time to learn the names of all the students and call them by their first names. Spend a moment with them whenever you encounter them outside Madressa.
• Train the students to stand and greet all teachers when they walk into the classroom.
• Make it clear early on what sort of behaviour you expect and why. 
• Start the lesson on time. This will allow you to eliminate fooling around before it gets started.
• Involve the whole class in your lessons. Be aware of all individuals in the class and what they are up to. Cultivate a “wide-angle lens” and have “eyes in the back of your head”.
• Enforce whatever rules you have made. Classroom rules may be written on a chart.
• Ignore petty misbehaviour unless it affects others.
• Admit your (occasional!) mistakes.
• Try to reinforce new desired behaviour by rewarding it every time it occurs. When has been fairly well established, gradually reduce the frequency of rewards, although try not to stop it altogether.

DON’T

• Look as if you are expecting trouble.
• Say you will do something and then not do it.
• Expect absolute silence for more than a short period of time.
• Lay down lots of petty or unreasonable rules.
• Threaten your class with higher authority, except as a last resort.
• Remain permanently behind the desk.
• Throw things in class, exercise books, board erasers, etc.
• Become too “chummy” with the students – friendly yes.
• Make mountains out of molehills – once you have said what you want to say, stop.
• Let yourself get over-involved with students who seem to be more interested and responsive.