Job Discussion Forums

[White_Elephant]

I teach almost 300 college students per semester. They are always saying, "I love you." Now, I could understand if they were children. I've taught children before and they say the same thing, which I take kindly to. But I'm teaching ADULTS and I think they are being immature, especially when they write such things on the board. What's really strange is that I'm a demanding, hard-ass, do or die type of Instructor. I really couldn't care less if my students love me; respect is a different matter altogether.

I'm not trying to flatter myself with this post. I don't know what to think about these students. They often scream my name when they see me all over campus. I find this experience to be very uncomfortable. Perhaps I'm feeling this way because I really hate living in this country, the culture and pretty much everything about it. I only have about two more months left of my prison sentence. I guess I would like things better if people were able to really communicate on an intellectual level. Hey, help me when I really need it. Oh that would never happen!

Am I the only one with these same thoughts, feelings, etc.? Are you ever annoyed by students telling you, "I love you?"

[gaijinalways]

Generally no. I have had a few students that have expressed such thoughts, but I couldn't generally take it seriously. But it is a mixed pleasure, espcially when you wish students would behave a little better in class, rather than just mouthing praise.

[Gordon]

No, it rarely happens, fortunately. What country do you live in?

[Guy Courchesne]

Almost sounds like you're teaching in a Spanish-speaking country. In Mexico, the phrase te quiero is very fluid, meaning anything from I like you, to I love you, to I want you, hotstuff.

Although, it is weird to get it from students? Maybe ther trying to get your goat.

[White_Elephant]

[ls650]

It does indeed sound like they're trying to get your goat.

Last semester I had a student say this in class, and then ask loudly "Do you love me too?" several times. She was obviously trying to embarass me and put me on the spot.

My response was "Er, I love ALL my students!" which made the rest of the class laugh - and shut her up.

[tedkarma]

This really depends on what country you are in.

I often had early to mid-twenties female students say this in Korea. It means nothing - or at best it means they love you like they love their Pooh Bear or one of their stuffie toys. In Korea there was NO sexual meaning at all attached to it.

An important thing to understand is that the maturity and experience level of many young adults in some foreign countries is about that of a high school freshman back home. Sometimes 22 years old is equal to about 12.

[rusmeister]

[White_Elephant]

tedkarma made some good points. Actually, come to think of it, I would have to say that the vast majority of 8-10 year olds are more mature and easier to manage than my 18 ~ twenty somethings. Sometimes I get tired of having to tell these people to stop hitting each other in class. I feel like I'm talking to children 5-6 years old. There are full grown males punching females and full grown females punching males. There are males punching males and females hitting females. It's their culture as I can see it all over the streets on a regular daily basis.

As for the students saying, "I love you," this could be a very immature crush (maybe). It's comes more from males than females, though I get it from both genders.

[mondrian]

[rusmeister]

Thank God my pupils don't - most of them are pre-teen!

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

[Eva Pilot]

At least they don't try to CANCHO you.

Or do they?

[White_Elephant]

Okay teacher, what does CANCHO MEAN?

[furiousmilksheikali]