To hope that I'm a good teacher and have no idea what my students actually think

[Teacher7676]

I teach English as a foreign language, primarily to young people from the Middle East , though we have students from all over the world.
I passed teaching qualifications, and 2 weeks into my job i haven't had any complaints (yet).
However I find it really hard to tell if they actually like my lessons. I really try to pitch it at an appropriate level, challenging but with easier parts, I use a good mix of the 4 skills.
We do grammar work but I try to teach it in a communicative way, and try to do more fun activities like describing pictures or quizzes.
I teach quite a low level group.
They say thanks at the end, generally turn up on time and do their work, though we get 1 or 2 who just sit on their phones or keep leaving the class to take calls.
I try to show an interest in them, ask them a lot about their home countries and how they like the UK.
Ifs just so hard to know if I'm doing a good job, none of them have said they like the lessons or anything positive, they also don't seem that interested in getting to know me as a person though it might well be a cultural thing (Saudi men) and maybe they believe in keeping a certain polite disfance from women (correct me if I'm wrong)
I think I'm nice and kind, but I don't believe I have a huge personality or massively charismatic, and not one of those teachers that will keep making jokes or ribbing them or whatever.
Just worry that they find it a bit boring or juvenile, would appreciate any feedback or advice from what I've said!

You could try asking for some 'stop, start, continue' feedback from the students.

You have to have a bit of a think skin, but it's a great way to invite feedback and if you reflect on it, it can improve your practice.

I haven't heard of that technique but will look into it!
Yes I maybe do sadly, i think I'm extra cautious as I worked for another language school previously where if even one student out of 10 didn't like how the lessons worked, you'd have all the classes with them taken off you and given to another teacher. Very ott

The only people who really knows the answer to this are your students. Could you use a questionnaire to gain some feedback. Websites like survey monkey might help make it quick and easy.

Hope you don't mind me being deliberately provactive. I teach in very different settings (seconday maths) where our aims are very different...

Which is better at end of lesson?
-Students liked lesson vs Students liked you
-Students had fun vs Students learnt something
-You connected with someone vs Two students in class connected

Yes that's a good idea I may prepare a questionnaire which hopefully they will understand English wise.
In my previous school, the teacher would be sent out of the room for 15 minutes whilst the director of studies asked all the students for feedback, which was a bit terrifying.
I do think it may also be Saudi culture. I had a Saudi woman in one lesson who was extremely quiet, nervous and sat away from anyone , I think she wasn't used to being in an environment with men like that.
With the last message, ideally I would like both, but agreed it's more important they like the lessons

I think you need to first decide specifically what it is that you want to know. You say it’s hard to tell if you’re doing a good job and also that you don’t know if the students like your lessons.
The students may like your lessons but are they allowing them to progress and develop their skills?
You need to incorporate robust assessment of student progress into your teaching. Help them set targets and identify areas for improvement. Doing a “good job” means your students make progress - not that they are entertained or that they like you.

If you want to find out if they like the lessons, give the students opportunities to give feedback on the types of activities and tasks you are asking them to undertake.
If you’re doing any paper based tasks a simple traffic light tick box for enjoyment/helpfulness of each task at the very bottom or top of the page would give you an indication of how students feel about different activities.
Everyone is different and will prefer different types of activities so you’ll never please everyone but as you get to know them you’ll be able to tailor the learning to suit individual needs and preferences.

Agreed that I need to keep checking their progress, we do weekly progress tests which is good.
Will definitely try and gain some feedback. There are around 5/6 in each class and indeed you can't be liked by everyone, but as long as they aren't collectively going to management and complaining at least!

Well I'm supposed to have a class of 5, this morning I have one student... This is the first time they've not turned up.