Job Discussion Forums

paulmanser · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 403

Is it Poland?

Demanding as in ask the most intelligent questions, give you a run for your money basically.

Super Frank · Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 365

I don't know.

Where are you from?

paulmanser · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 403

Birth place/current location wise London, United Kingdom. Will be going to Poland for TEFL career.

Super Frank · Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 365

We can rule the UK out then.

paulmanser · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 403

We can name UK as the most demanding for badly behaved students.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

Of the 8 or 10 nationalities I've taught,

I'd have to vote for Russians.

They enjoy challenging their teachers and asking

really hard questions to see if you're up to the task.

As people, they tend to be analytical rather than emotional,

so they generally care less about what the right answer is,

and more about why it is or was the right answer.

A good thing in hindsight ...

since it forced me to sharpen my skills.

Thailand teaching and travel resources available here :::: The Master Index Thailand ::::

thelmadatter · Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 1:59 pm Post subject: russians and mexicans

I think I would enjoy teaching Russians as I, too, like to know "why" something is correct, even if it isn't a logical reason but a historical one. And many of English's idiosyncracies are due to history. (I happen to be a wealth of fairly useless knowledge about language oddities, esp. in English Laughing

)

The way Mexico can be very demanding is that it too often seems that both students AND adminstration want that YOU to make sure that the students pass (whether they do well or not) but then you CAN'T cheat either! Talk about a rock and a hard place (or in Spanish a sword and a wall).

Fortunately, they need me enough that no one ever directly tries to get me to pass undeserving students and if they did, I would tell them where to go. Unfortunately, not all teachers here have that luxury.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I also have found Russian students a real challenge to teach. They are always right and you are wrong. You must come prepared and explain any and everything you teach. I also found defending the English language. This is in complete opposite to the Japanese students I know teach.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Teaching only Japanese students, I have a limited scope, but I'd have to say it can be very demanding.

They are used to the teacher dominating the classroom, so it is hard to get them to speak, volunteer answers, or even come up with simple replies even when you tell them bad grammar is ok.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I've only taught Mexicans, Koreans, and one Guy from India. The Mexicans aren't demanding at all, and often a pleasure to work with. The Korean girls aren't as demanding as their mother, but the challenge is rewarding.

Outside of teaching English, Canadians have been the most demanding to teach, but again, in a good way.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

acwilliams · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 4:31 am Post subject:

British schoolchildren are evil. I used to be one, so I know!!!

Super Frank · Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 365

We'll have a punch up on the top field to settle the matter, last break.

Dragonlady · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 4:48 am Post subject:

tedkarma · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 6:21 am Post subject:

I've taught Russians (in Korea of all places!), Taiwanese, Koreans, Saudis, Batswana (yes, that is correct!), and Thais.

Far and away - Saudis.

They tend to see you as a servant (until you forcefully correct this, of course) and will even snap their fingers to get your "service". They will argue about anything and everything. To them a misplaced comma on an exam disqualifies the whole thing (you learn quickly to NOT do that!). They will try to negotiate for even a 1/10th of a point on an exam score. Not unusual where I worked to kick people out of the classroom at least twice a semester.

My bet is that anyone who has taught in the Middle East will have similar stories.

I don't mind a student demanding that I be skilled and proficient at what I do. That is their right. But, niggling (sometimes begging!) over a 1/10th of a point .. .