Job Discussion Forums

[Leon30]

At my High School, the new first graders are lovely (at the moment) but the 2nd graders who were also attentative, enthusiastic, polite 1st graders last year have turned into the same rude, obnoxious little ^&*3's that last years 2nd graders were.

My co-worker explained it's something to do with being overworked and knowing whether or not they're able to go to university.

I only have 3 months left till end of contract, so I can just get through and the new 1st graders really do make life more bearable.

Might be heading to Japan next, after summer.

Anyone taught in both countries..?

How do Japanese students compare?

Surely they can't be as rude and obnoxious as Korean students...?

Please don't turn this into a debate about "US students are just as bad / worse etc... " I'm sure they are much worse as are kids from my country.

But how do Japanese students compare to Koreans students...

Surely they can't be as bad...?

right...?

I mean I heard they are quieter and more shy, but hell I'd take that anyday....

Any opinions based on real experiences welcomed.

Cheers

[AndyH]

I taught in Korea for seven months and have been in Japan nearly four years.
Based on my experience, Japanese kids are much better behaved and respectful.
Sure, you'll get a few spoiled brats, but they tend to be exceptions.
I found Korean kids to be more willing to speak, and their English skills were usually better (probably from studying every day at conversation schools, rather than once a week, like in Japan), but in Japan, you will, for the most part, find kids more enthusiastic and to some degree, nicer.
However, don't let this make you think that Japanese kids are perfect little angels:you're likely to get a few who you'd love to hang out the window!

[Nicedog777]

I've never taught in Korea, but I will stand by the statement that Japanese high school students are polite and pleasant, on the whole. Then again, I am biased, as I tend to like most people.

[Gypsy Rose Kim]

I think it's always a nice breath of fresh air to change from one country to the other. I started in Japan and came to Korea. I was immediately impressed by how talkative my Korean students were and how fast they learned compared to Japanese students. I found Korean students to be much less jaded and more interested in both their fellow students and myself.

I can easily see how someone would have the same pleasant surprises when they began teaching polite, gentle, un-sassy Japanese kids.

However, if you reeeeeeally don't like Korean high school kids, maybe you should look at a different kind of teaching? I mean, high school students are pretty much high school students no matter what country you're in. Younger kids, university dispatch, and adult conversation classes are all quite fun, too.