Let The Students Talk
I know a lot of teachers have a problem with this, but let me be clear: my students know that if they start talking about something outside of the classroom, something not related to the class, I will make them work independently/make it silent. They don't want that and I don't want that.
The main thing is that you have to be very aware of the conversations. Is the whispering about a clarification on the notes that I'm moving on with, or is it about the English paper that's due tomorrow? The former conversations should be encouraged; the latter not.
I discovered my desire to be a teacher by helping my classmates during group work, but sometimes students need reinforcement before work is done. Their classmates/friends can explain things differently than I do, which may get through to them.
Whispering is also different than talking; working with the person next to or behind you is different than asking your friend who's sitting across the room a question. Set the rules/guidelines immediately and follow through with consequences.
But let them talk. It will result in less confusion later on.
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