TEACHER'S STRATEGIES IN MANAGING GRADE 7 STUDENTS' MISBEHAVIORS IN AN EFL CLASSROOM: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY AT SMP NEGERI 1 KANDANGSERANG

• Dinda Rahmawati

  UIN K.H Abdurrahman Wahid Pekalongan

  Author

• Zahra Arizka Salsabila

  UIN K.H Abdurrahman Wahid Pekalongan

  Author

• Nisa Bela Ma’wa Fauriza

  UIN K.H Abdurrahman Wahid Pekalongan

  Author

        Junior high school students frequently face a variety of difficulties that have an impact on their behavior and level of involvement when learning English. The purpose of this study is to investigate the kinds of misbehavior that seventh-grade students in an EFL classroom display as well as the methods the instructor employs to control these behaviors. This study is guided by two primary research questions: What types of misbehavior do seventh-grade students exhibit during English classes? What methods does the English teacher use to deal with these misbehaviors? This study used a qualitative approach, using interviews and classroom observations as the main methods of data gathering. One English instructor and a seventh-grade class at SMP Negeri 1 Kandangserang during the 2024–2025 school year made up the participants. The results showed that there were four main categories of misbehavior: utilizing Indonesian during English-speaking exercises, talking with friends, using cell phones covertly, and having low learning motivation. The study also found that the teacher employed three ways to deal with these problems, including positive encouragement to boost confidence, repetition of classroom norms, and subtle direct cautions. The results of the interviews also revealed that, in order to preserve a healthy classroom environment, the teacher favored gentle, encouraging methods over harsh ones. These results emphasize the significance of emotionally supportive teaching methods and regular rule enforcement in creating a more productive and stimulating EFL learning environment.

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