Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jurassic82]

I have a question for all those out there about disciplining kids in the classroom. Right now I'm in a shi**y situation with my classes. At my Hagwon the class sizes have increased to the point where the majority of the classes I teach are at least 8 or more kids. It has been a real problem trying to discipline these kids. The other teachers and I have taken the kids that cause trouble out of the classroom but they soon come back with the Director or secretary with a smile on their face. They are good for about 5 minutes then they are wild again. The kids are no way scared or the director or other korean teachers and have learned that they can get away with a lot because there really ins't anything stopping them. I have constantly sent kids out of the classroom who were acting up or being disruptive but the boss keeps bringing the kids back. It kind of defeats the purpose. I understand a little bit of where the director is coming from in the sense that if you kick the kids out they will comlain to their parents and then the parents will pull the kids from the school. I want to know from you experienced teachers out there what you would do in a similar situation. If your going to say give them candy or right an X on the board everytime they speak then don't waste your time posting. I hope to hear from some of you soon.

[inverse_narcissus]

8 kids per class? Try 35-40! (public school here)

I did come across one idea here which sounds good in theory - I've yet to try it in practice.

You get each of the kids to write a letter (in Korean) which you dictate to them (in English; a co-teacher or another teacher translates). The gist of the letter is something like this:
"Dear Mother and Father,
Today I disrupted the English class and disobeyed the teacher. I would not pay attention to him/her and made a nuisance of myself.
I wasted the teacher's time and your money. I'm sorry, please forgive me.

Signed,
[STUDENT'S NAME]

Please sign this letter so I can bring it back to my English teacher.
[PARENT1 NAME]
[PARENT2 NAME]"

No parent likes to hear that their kid is being a *beep* in class, especially if they're spending their hard-earned cash on sending aforementioned kid to the hagwon in the first place. Their signatures at the end guarantee that they'll read it.
Apparently, this is effective for scaring the teachers into action as much as the students.

[pkang0202]

Can you punish them? Like having them do wall sits/Iron chair. You have them in a position like they are sitting in a chair except instead of a chair under their body, they just have a wall on their back for support.

Their legs will be burning and hurting in minutes.

[Bibbitybop]

This one minute video will show you how to effectively deal with problem students:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvUDNtGlwgY

[Tjames426]

thoughts...

I've had several students like that. It depends upon boys or girls. Depends on the age too. I have sent students out of the classroom. But...

If they are boys K1 / K2 age, they are probably looking for attention. In my classes, I have disruptive boys. Lots of them. But one has to direct that energy in positive ways.

I do lots of exercises at the white board.
I have competitive games and vocabulary exercises.
I do some movement stuff in class.
I give each boy individual attention in helpful ways. They crave attention. Especially from a male role model they can learn from.
I move unruly boys to sit beside me at the table.

I've had rowdy boys just purr after granting them some attention, and moving them beside me.
***

Grade Level boys are different.

Once again, I moved a couple boys closer to me in order to grant more individual assistance. They settled down.

G1 / G2 boys are the worst it seems to me. Parents are not all over them about "grades and studies" yet. They still want to be children. They want to reject the pressure of having to "excel" for their parents.

One boy just wants to sleep or goof off in class. Of course, he probably has evening classes several nights a week. But, I cannot let his attitude affect the others. Interesting fact, the other day, the Hogwan director and I were discussing the kid. The Director said, "unlike the other students [whose parents are Drs and etc] that boy's dad is a taxidriver. So, that should explain why he is a troublesome student. *furrow* The caste system is alive and well in Korea.

G3 / G4 students are all freaked out about High School and parent pressure to get a good academic performace. The only time, I've had problems with this grade is when the kids has studied overseas.

Mommy and Daddy think the precious thing is "excellent" in English after a year in Kiwi land or Canada. When it comes out they are not, problems develop.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

If you're getting undermined like that by your hogwan you basically have two choices: you can make a farce of it or quit. Don't waste your energy trying methods that will never work there.

[i_teach_esl]

the letter sounds like a top idea... going to put that in my own discipline technique files. do let us know what you do/how it works out.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[yingwenlaoshi]

Just calmly lead the student out of the classroom. Every time. Have them sit in a chair in the middle of the lobby.

[i_teach_esl]

oh boo to you, Cranky McCrankster. jeez, let me rephrase: i think its a good idea, and if the school would allow it, i think it would work.

[yingwenlaoshi]

Actually, that letter is a good idea if you can write it.

The best thing to do with the problem students is to get them to quit. When they leave, it's a blessing.

[cassette]

Some thoughts.

When I first started teaching I often shouted to try and control the classroom. Unfortunately a teacher who hollers and looses their temper has effectively lost control of the situation and the kids pick up on it. Their victory. The kids need to learn that you have COMPLETE control which means a zero tolerance approach to all bad behavior. Others may have different techniques, here's how I do it.

Lets say a kid is talking and being disruptive. In a LOUD voice (not shouting) get his/her, and the rest of the class's, attention. "HEY!" or "PETER!" or whatever. Now at this point Peter will turn to his friends for support, he may mutter something in Korean to get them laughing. This is when it's easy to lose control. The important thing is IGNORE THE OTHER CHILDREN! Stay on Peter and get him to make eye contact with you. "PETER. LOOK AT ME. PETER". "Peter, what are you doing", he will look to his friends again, claiming not to understand (he may not understand the words but he DOES get the meaning - you are angry). Snap his attention back onto you "Peter, WHAT are you doing?" "Look at me" "What are you doing" ...etc.

Keep going until he knows that his friends wont be taking any of the rap. Keep everyone�s attention on him and he'll soon start to get embarrassed.

When you think he's got the message immediately continue the lesson in your normal calm manner. This gives the message that your anger is something YOU control and can be turned on and OFF at will. In other words, anger doesn't bother the teacher it's just something that he does therefore trying to wind him up is pointless

Still with me? Anyway once you restart the lesson Peter will not be able to resist muttering something to his friends to show that he's still the man. DON"T IGNORE IT. Come down on him again. "Yes?" "What did you say?" "WHAT did you say?

Remember, zero tolerance. With the threat of EMBARRESMENT if anyone misbehaves.

If Peter is still not getting the message what then? Send him out of the class? No. This way he become a martyr and has plenty of time to compose himself back into the little *&%& that he is. Instead try this. Say "Stand up" (at which point he thinks he's going to be sent out of the classroom. Fine by him) Then continue with the lesson. Leave him standing in his place. For some reason this is much more powerful. He' gets very embarrassed with his peers eyes burning into the back of his neck. Let him stand there all lesson. When he next misbehaves have him stand up, again in the middle of the room, again for the whole lesson. The kids will soon learn that any bad behavior will lead to embarrassment in front of their friends and that life is easier for them if they just keep quiet

In summery:

Zero tolerance.
Focus attention on ONE child.
Get eye contact.
Be loud and authoritative. Don�t shout.
Continue the lesson in a calm and neutral voice.
Don�t send them outside have them stand up in their place.

Good Luck

[yingwenlaoshi]

[cassette]

[yingwenlaoshi]