| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
venus
Joined: 25 Oct 2006
Location: Near Seoul
|
 Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:24 pm Post subject: Teaching Japanese students VS Korean students - the lowdown |
 |
|
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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
andrew
Joined: 30 Jan 2003
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
.....
Last edited by andrew on Fri May 08, 2009 6:04 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Saxiif
Joined: 15 May 2003
Location: Seongnam
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Well Korean high school students are all a bit insane because of the immense (to the point that it becomes VERY counter-productive educationally) workload they have from their schools/hagwons. Personally the Korean kids that are the best to teach at kids right at the end of elementary school or right at the beginning of middle school. Young enough that they stay in their seats and old enough that all of their personality hasn't been beat out of them by the educational system. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Saxiif wrote: |
| Well Korean high school students are all a bit insane because of the immense (to the point that it becomes VERY counter-productive educationally) workload they have from their schools/hagwons. Personally the Korean kids that are the best to teach at kids right at the end of elementary school or right at the beginning of middle school. Old enough that they stay in their seats and young enough that all of their personality hasn't been beat out of them by the educational system. |
I think you got those mixed up.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
zappadelta
Joined: 31 Aug 2004
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Saxiif wrote: |
| Well Korean high school students are all a bit insane because of the immense (to the point that it becomes VERY counter-productive educationally) workload they have from their schools/hagwons. Personally the Korean kids that are the best to teach at kids right at the end of elementary school or right at the beginning of middle school. Young enough that they stay in their seats and old enough that all of their personality hasn't been beat out of them by the educational system. |
Really? I think that's the worst age to teach. Especially 6th grade, can't stand 'em. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
venus
Joined: 25 Oct 2006
Location: Near Seoul
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Korean kids Quiet????
I wish I could keep them quiet for a second while I tried to explain tasks to them...!
are you kidding me...?
Mine wont shut up, say rude things in Korean all the time, are sarcastic... no matter how many games / video english games, video clips with computer exercises I give them to try and make it fun, it's allways a fight just to get them taking part and not muttering 'jemi obsoyo' and start doing what I ask....
If the worst I could expect from Japanese students is that they are quiet and complain to the principal behind my back, that would be heaven!
So - taught Japanese students and Korean students at roughly the same age group...?
How did it compare...?
Can we keep it on topic and not start discussing middle school Koreans VS High School Koreans etc, as that would be a different post.
Cheers
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ekuboko
Joined: 22 Dec 2004
Location: ex-Gyeonggi
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| In my experience, Japanese junior high students were a dream to teach compared to the same age Korean students I have taught in my time here. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
the saint
Joined: 09 Dec 2003
Location: not there yet...
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 2:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
I've taught both for years. It all depends on what kind of teacher you are.
If you like quiet classes where you, the teacher, does all the talking, you'll love Japan.
If you like interactive, buzzing classes where there's energy and kids are willing to try almost anything, you'll hate it.
I've been teaching ten years and spent 6 of those in Japan. I loooooove Japan and would live there in a shot. But I simply had to leave because I found it so draining teaching Japanese students. They seem to have a mental block to actually producing sound in their teenage years. I much prefer working with Korean students who have more energy and are generally noisier. The downside of this is that classes can get more out of control but I'd rather have that than a room full of corpses which used to greet me in Japan sometimes!
That aside, if you haven't lived in Japan, do it anyway for the experience. It shouldnt' be missed. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Privateer
Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Location: Easy Street.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sody
Joined: 14 May 2006
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hehe it would be funny if those stories were actually true. I enjoyed reading them though.  In Canada it would be hard to find a black teacher, I can't believe there is one in Japan.
Sody |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sody
Joined: 14 May 2006
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:06 am Post subject: Re: Teaching Japanese students VS Korean students - the lowd |
|
|
| venus wrote: |
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 |
Hi Venus,
I've taught in both countries so I might be able to shed some light on your questions. Keep in mind that I taught in a private school in Japan.
Generally speaking I've found Japanese students to be more respectful and certainly a lot more quiet. But then again there are less students in most Japanese classrooms than in a public school here in Korea. My largest class in Korea was 58 students, in Japan my largest class was less than 30.
I think the main reason for why Japanese students are better is because the society is better. Japanese are harder working, more disciplined and much more polite. This results in a better student. There is also a sincere respect for their elders unlike in Korea where most respect is very fake. Keep in mind that it's a lot easier to be this way when your society is so good. Japan is a developed nation whereas Korea is still a developing country. The Japanese have a group mentality that you must read up on if you plan on going there. It makes for some really excellent classes. Overall, I enjoyed teaching in Japan.
Korea. Ah, well I can tell from your post that you know about Korean students already. I probably can't give you any new insight on Koreans but I will say that overall I enjoy teaching Korean students more than Japanese students. Koreans embrace learning English much more than Japanese students and that is the major difference for me. In Japan, learning English isn't considered important like it is in Korea. It's more like a hobby to the Japanese. Sure the students have tests as well but the society doesn't force students to learn English like in Korea. To get the best jobs in Korea you MUST do well in TOEIC. In Japan it's good but not a must. So basically you get two types in Korea, those who study English and hate it and those who embrace it. If you're like me and very lucky then you have students who embrace it and are willing to work hard to learn it. The Japanese don't hate English like Koreans. But they also don't love it like some Koreans. If you understand this then you understand what I'm trying to say. If you have anymore questions feel free to ask and I'll try and help. BoL.
Sody |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
The Dude from Canada
Joined: 19 Feb 2007
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 1:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I tell you. Korean kids are best when their personalities have been sucked out of them. They're very difficult in the younger years, but as the education system beats into them, living in a miserable country, and the liklihood that 90% of them will be unsucessful eventually turns over in their minds, and they quiet down and accept the great life given to them by the fatherland of Korea.
I'm not being sarcastic. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
crazy_arcade
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 2:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| venus wrote: |
Korean kids Quiet????
I wish I could keep them quiet for a second while I tried to explain tasks to them...!
are you kidding me...?
Mine wont shut up, say rude things in Korean all the time, are sarcastic... no matter how many games / video english games, video clips with computer exercises I give them to try and make it fun, it's allways a fight just to get them taking part and not muttering 'jemi obsoyo' and start doing what I ask....
If the worst I could expect from Japanese students is that they are quiet and complain to the principal behind my back, that would be heaven!
So - taught Japanese students and Korean students at roughly the same age group...?
How did it compare...?
Can we keep it on topic and not start discussing middle school Koreans VS High School Koreans etc, as that would be a different post.
Cheers
|
My students are quiet when I want them to be quiet and noisy when I want them to be noisy. That's what heppens when you take the time to learn about class control. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Vancouver
Joined: 12 Dec 2006
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 5:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| the saint wrote: |
| The downside of this is that classes can get more out of control but I'd rather have that than a room full of corpses which used to greet me in Japan sometimes!. |
take a big stick and hit the wall or desk with it like in the movies |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ekuboko
Joined: 22 Dec 2004
Location: ex-Gyeonggi
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| the saint wrote: |
I've taught both for years. It all depends on what kind of teacher you are.
If you like quiet classes where you, the teacher, does all the talking, you'll love Japan.
If you like interactive, buzzing classes where there's energy and kids are willing to try almost anything, you'll hate it.
|
As I said before, it depends on your circumstances. It also can depend on the homeroom teacher and the relationship the students and that teacher have.
In Japan, my kids were quiet when I told them to be quiet, and they were also very enthusiastic when we did more active things. I also found that the boys and girls were happy to interact with each other.
In Korea I find that boys and girls don't like to be put in groups or pairs with the opposite sex, and when you tell them to be quiet, they carry on talking.
The other thing is.. my students in Japan didn't cheat every time we had games or quizzes, yet my Korean students do constantly -- even though it's all in fun. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
