FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Problem Solving: General Considerations
In general, the responsibility of the GTF/instructor is to communicate and enforce course policies. Although our course policies are clearly articulated, some students attempt to disregard them and shift the responsibility for the resulting situation to the instructor. You should immediately make clear to the students in this situation that they have knowingly made certain choices and must face the consequences. We have not established these policies to be punitive. Rather, they were devised to assure the continuity of instruction and fair treatment of all students in a multi-sectioned course.
Of course, circumstances do arise where course policy may need to be altered or waived. These cases should be handled on an individual basis. When confronted with one of these cases, tell the student that you will consult with your supervisors about the matter. This will allow you/us time to reflect on possible remedies and avoid hasty and ill-considered solutions.
REMEMBER: There is only so much you can do to assure a student’s success in the course. The ultimate responsibility rests with the student.
Frequently Asked Questions about:
Student Attendance and Participation
Can I add more students than the maximum to my class?
No. You are not permitted to make any decisions regarding adding students, especially when additions will exceed the maximum. All registration matters should be referred to the office staff.
What if a student misses the first few days of class?
A student who misses the first two days of class is automatically dropped from your course. Thus, it is essential that you turn in the names of those students to the office staff. A form will be distributed for that purpose. PLEASE RESPECT THE DEADLINE.
What should I do if a student notifies me that s/he will be missing several days of class for a seemingly valid reason?
This needs to be handled on a case-by-case basis. You will need to see which assignments will be missed, whether they can be made up, when and how they can be made up, and whether missed work and attendance will affect the final grade (see attendance policy in course syllabus). You may want to tell the student that you will wait until the end of the course to answer the last questions, basing your decision on his/her good faith, and consistent or improving performance. If indeed these factors are present, we recommend that you be reasonable in determining his/her final grade.
You will receive excuses from students participating in university-sponsored extracurricular activities (athletics, theater, etc.). We honor these excuses and do not penalize students for these absences. Note that while the student is excused from class, s/he is nonetheless responsible for assigned work.
As a rule, we do not ask for doctor’s excuses, nor does the University Health Services supply them.
Should students notify me every time they are absent?
NO! You probably do not have a phone in your office, and in any case, the office staff cannot be expected to take messages from every sick student. Inform students that they should notify you only before or during an extended absence or when an important assignment will be missed due to sickness or personal emergency. At the beginning of the term, you may wish to collect student phone numbers and distribute them to the entire class (with their consent!) so that students may call each other for missed assignments and class notes.
What should I do if a student is absent extensively/repeatedly without prior notification?
Remind the student of the attendance policy as stated in the course syllabus, either by talking to him/her after class or by leaving a note on his/her homework. Tell him/her that in the future, s/he must notify you before or during his/her absence if at all possible, so that arrangements for making up his/her work can be made (if appropriate).
How should I prepare students for tests/exams?
PLEASE do not coach students for tests/exams. This is unfair to students in other sections of the course, who do not and should not benefit from such preparation. It is also unfair to the students who are coached, since they are dispensed from preparing all the material in the chapter; as a consequence, they will be ill-prepared for later communicative situations (let's not forget that real-life communication involves all the material contained in the book, not just the items that appear on the test). Furthermore, you are giving them expectations that other instructors will rightfully resist. And you are depriving yourself of a diagnostic tool. Finally, remember that the goal of the course is to learn a foreign language, not to become testwise. These same comments apply to feedback given during the test. So … leave the coaching to Pete Rose (and look what happened to him!)
Appropriate preparation may include:
What if I suspect a student of cheating/plagiarism?
Students are expected to do their own work. Cheating , plagiarism and any other form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Before this situation arises, familiarize yourself with the procedures highlighted in the Bluebook "Student Academic Integrity: Policies and Guidelines for Faculty, Instructors and Students," available from Office of Student Life (346-1140) or go to http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~stl/brochure.htm. Notify your course supervisor immediately if you suspect cheating on class assignments or tests.
What should I do if a student fails to turn in his/her homework?
As in the case of absences, course policies as outlined in the syllabus should be observed. Use common sense in making exceptions for late or missed assignments. However, it is within your rights to refuse it. Homework is a learning tool that is closely linked to the rhythm of the syllabus.
What are my responsibilities to my students?
As a minimum, you should:
Can I cancel class the day before a holiday?
No.
What should I do is a student wants to do work for extra credit?
We strongly discourage this practice. It is unfair to the other students, it leads to difficulties in grading, it creates false expectations and it burdens the GTF.
What should I do if a student is failing?
You may not be able to do much! You are responsible only up to a certain point for a student’s success or failure in the course. Some steps you can take are to:
Don’t:
How should I handle discipline problems in the classroom?
Handle discipline problems immediately, directly and without anger or hostility. Speak to the student in private, by appointment or after class. Avoid accusations, explain what you see as the problem and how it affects the other students. Make it clear that the behavior is unacceptable, and that if it continues, your supervisor will make an appointment to speak with the student. It is essential that you confront these problems as they occur. Students consider this your role and failure to fulfill it will only aggravate the problem and lower their opinion of your competence as an instructor.
Should I give tutoring/review sessions?
NO. We discourage the practice for the following reasons:
How should I handle student complaints?
Tell students on the first day of class that if they have any comments or complaints about the course, they should see you first. If they would rather not confront you directly, they should be directed to the course supervisor. The supervisor will listen to the student’s side of the story, consult you for your perspective, and attempt to resolve the problems to both parties' satisfaction. If a student comes to you with a complaint, listen calmly. If you feel taken by surprise, angry or hurt, tell the student that you need time to think and talk to your supervisor, and you will get back in touch with him/her. Avoid outbursts, accusations or emotional displays.
N.B.: A complaint should be referred to the department chair’s office only after it has followed the appropriate channels:
GTF --> supervisor --> program director --> department head
How much time should I spend on class preparation/correction?
According to GTFF regulations, you are expected to spend a maximum of 167 hours term on teaching. The actual hours you will spend per week will vary, but in any case should not exceed the maximum allowed per term. If you find yourself spending an inordinate amount of time on teaching, correction and preparation, please see your supervisor.
What should I do if I fall behind in the syllabus, or if I get ahead?
The course syllabus is a rough outline that should help you pace the class in an appropriate manner; it is normal for a teacher to anticipate or delay small amounts of material assigned on the syllabus.
If you fall behind, consult with the supervisor who will help you find the most efficient way to cover the material in the remaining time.
If you get ahead, consider review activities, communicative activities, audio/visual resources available at the Yamada Center and the Media Center (Knight Library), well-chosen games or getting a head start on the next chapter. See a supervisor if you need additional guidance.
These situations should not arise very often. If they do, see a supervisor!
How should I handle the mixed levels in my class?
It is often the case that you will have students of varying levels and preparations in your class. This situation is particularly acute during the first term of first year. On the first day of class, emphasize the goals of the course and its intended clientele as described on the policy statement. If overqualified students choose to remain, they must abide by all course policies (attendance, homework and participation) and they should show consideration to classmates who are registered at the legitimate level. Given these circumstances, instructors should also make special efforts to encourage absolute novices. Note that this discrepancy in levels usually disappears by the beginning of the second term.
What should I do in case of personal absence?
If you need to be absent, avoid cancelling class if at all possible. This is for your benefit as well as the students’. As a first step, try to arrange for a fellow GTF to take your class, promising a similar favor in exchange. If a replacement cannot be found and you must cancel your class, contact a supervisor or a fellow GTF who can alert your students and give an assignment. AS A LAST RESORT, call the office staff.
In the case of an extended absence, the department will make arrangements for a long term substitute.
Many unpredictable situations will arise during the course of the year. The best rule of thumb is to USE YOUR JUDGEMENT. Simply think and (re)act as the professional that you are. Don’t forget that the course supervisors and program director are all a part of your team and are available to help answer any questions that arise.