👂 What If They Just Don’t Listen?

vanessa speigle
Aug 11
3 min read

Helping Teachers Build Respectful, Engaged Classrooms Without Rewards or Punishments

Every teacher has that moment... you’ve explained the task three times, you’ve used your calm voice, and still… nothing. A sea of blank stares, side conversations, or a group that seems more interested in the window than your lesson.

Three wooden signposts pointing in different directions with text “This Way,” “That Way,” and “Another Way” against a blue sky.

It’s frustrating. Exhausting. And for many teachers, it feels like the only way forward is to hand out rewards, threaten punishments, or raise your voice. But what if there’s another way?

The Hidden Cost of “Control”

When we rely on external control even with good intentions, we unintentionally teach students to listen for the reward or to avoid trouble, rather than to engage because the learning matters to them. Over time, they stop taking ownership of their learning and wait for us to direct every move.

The Finnish-Inspired Shift

Female teacher smiling and talking to a young boy with glasses as he writes in a notebook in a classroom setting.

In Finland, classrooms aren’t silent because students fear consequences, they’re engaged because they see themselves as active participants in their own learning. The difference isn’t magic. It’s intentional design. Here ’s how Finnish schools approach discipline and behavior management and why it works.

Here’s what it looks like in practice:

Clear, shared expectations set collaboratively with students.
Meaningful, movement-based activities that give learners a role, not just a task.
Opportunities to lead even small leadership roles in group work build ownership.

One Practical Strategy You Can Try Tomorrow

Replace a “teacher lecture” moment with a student-led explanation:

Assign one group to explore the key concept ahead of time (even for 5–10 minutes).
They become the “mini-teachers,” explaining it back to the class.
You step into the role of facilitator, adding depth and answering questions.

It changes the energy in the room, students listen because their peers are speaking, and the presenter group engages deeply because they know they’ll be teaching others.

Comparison chart of teacher-led versus student-led learning environments, highlighting differences in classroom design, control, responsibility, focus, views on failure, and talent development.

3 More Strategies for When Students Don’t Listen

1. Change the Mode, Not Just the Message

If instructions aren’t landing, it’s often not about the words, it’s about the delivery. Switch from verbal to visual (draw it, use icons, display steps on the board) or from sitting to moving (stand-and-pair-share, quick role play). The novelty re-engages attention.

2. Give a “Why That Matters” Anchor

Students are far more likely to tune in when they know why it matters to them. Connect the task to their lives, their interests, or a real-world problem. Even a short “This will help us…” statement can shift the focus.

3. Use the Pause–Redirect

Instead of repeating yourself over the noise, pause until you have quiet (or close to it), then give a calm, clear instruction. It signals that you value attention and that you won’t compete with side conversations without escalating tension.

Why CBC Teachers Need This Now

Kenya’s CBC framework asks for student-centered, competency-based learning. But in overcrowded classes or when time is short, it’s easy to default back to “sit still and listen. ”By embedding agency, collaboration, and movement into your lessons, you help learners take responsibility even in a noisy or busy environment.

Want to Go Deeper?

This January, teachers will face one of the toughest CBC challenges yet: large classes, high expectations, and tight time frames. I’m creating the CBC Survival Toolkit to help you manage the noise, increase engagement, and bring joy back into your classroom.

👉 Join the wait list here to get early access when it’s ready.