Korean Job Discussion Forums

[icnelly]

So Dmbfan and others (I think) have written about not knowing there were special needs students in class, and what I read prompted me to ask about it.

I asked today, and got the class rosters with little stars next to the names and a brief description of their problem. I knew I had at least one student who needed special instruction because I was asking him a question and there wasn't going to be any progress; my co-teacher let me know after I redirected my question to him a couple of times.

The shocking thing was the amount of students with special needs. I was thinking maybe 1 or 2 including the student I had encountered, but it turned out to be 4 students in 4 seperate classes. I know 4 doesn't seem like alot, but I had no idea; I hadn't sensed, or seen anything to alert me of it.

Bottom line: If you interested about this, make sure to ask, as it can save you headaches and prepare you a bit better.

Also, the information was willingly given to me, so from my experience the co-teachers were quite responsible about it.

[ilovebdt]

During the first week of the new semester all the special needs children came to my class.
The Korean English teachers told me which students they were if it wasn't immediately obvious. However, they only came for the first week because their special needs teachers wanted them to socialise with the other students. But, I don't see how useful this is because for the rest of the semester they have their own separate classes from the main student body.

Have you checked with your co-teacher that they will always come to your class and it isn't just a one off?

ilovebdt

[icnelly]

I'm not sure about the other 3 students, but I know one student is always in our class. Once I get to chat with my CT about it a little more, I'll be able to put names with faces: didn't think about there being a special needs program that keeps them from attending regular classes some the time. Thanks!

[Yu_Bum_suk]

We have four special needs kids amongst our grade one middle schoolers, out of an intake of about 85 - a very high number indeed. So far I've been a bit surprised by a couple. One of them looks retarded but always wants handouts will try to copy things down on them. Another looks pretty normal but can't read any English; she can't even pronounce monosyllabic English words with one vowel. But she tries so incredibly hard, and is so incredibly polite and deferential. She tries so hard to follow along and pay attention even though she has no idea what's going on most of the time. She can copy words off the board and will try her best to fill out every blank on every handout. She's slow but not retarded and I think feels quite stigmatised being lumped together with the kids who are at a much lower level than her. On top of it her parents abandoned her when she was little. And yet she's such a sweet, kind girl. In some ways I'd almost rather work with a student like her than a bright kid who does't really give a toss.

[kimchi_pizza]

I rather enjoy special needs students. This time I have a 4th grade boy who is quick as a whip and intelligent, but lives in his own world and has zero social skills. Granted I have no instruction or professional developement in teaching such kids, but I think as long as a teacher/instructor shows:

1. Patience, tons and tons of it.
2. Understanding, by observing their reactions to different situations and know how to keep them from getting upset.
3. Remain calm and affable yet firm with dealing with the student directly and
4. Try to keep his stress level to a minimum as distress seems to make him more "odd" and easy upset/angered with classmates.

Also, I excused the student from the class while I explained the situation to his classmates and DEMANDED that they be extra careful, cooperative and supportive of their fellow classmate. It took a lotta time and patience for everyone (about 2 months), but his classmates have accepted him and all his quirks and odd outbursts and instead of getting angry it helps to lighten the mood of the class. His hysterical laughter in class is contaigous and has us all going!

I'm pretty glad to have a student like that in my class as I think I and the entire class have all learned something from him and know to deal with such students.

Funny thing is, as soon as he enters the classroom he comes directly up to me and greets me and tries to make a little conversation and at the end of the day, as other students bolt for the bus, he stays behind to say, "Goodbye teacher". If I'm not around for him to say goodbye to he gets visibly upset! Makes it all worth it I say....

[nobbyken]

When the children are practicing one on one, it can be difficult for these kids as well as their deskmate.

I see 15 different classes (5&6 Grade twice), and there are about 6 kids with learning difficulties.
They will never be be in the top 50% of the class, but with some extra effort you can get some extra response at times. I think it helps them feel less isolated, so they enjoy the class and get something out of it.

Oh so polite as well, tidying up etc.
One we boy gives me big hugs before or after classes as well, if a group of students come round my desk for wee chat.

A few weeks ago, I leaned over across the small desk to check some homework, and this slower, quieter girl started blowing seductively in my ear.
I never did that again

[kimchi_pizza]

[icnelly]

Def. right about the individual work. The one kid whom I knew to have a learning problem was real nervous about me helping him individually at first, but once he figured out I wasn't going to take the piss out of him for being wrong, he warmed up to it.

The only problem is the other kids DO take the piss out of him during a timed or team activity. If I take him out, then he's def. going to feel isolated, and if I leave him in he gets ragged on, so maybe it's time to see if I can get my CT to help tuning the other kids into being more responsible with their peers...to the point that an elementary kid can be.

Kimchi_pizza, how exactly did you have that talk with your 4th graders (elementary, right)? I mean did the CT help you?

[kimchi_pizza]

Well, I sent the boy in question on a "special mission" to find a nonexistant book in the library for his teacher, while I had a heart-to-heart with his classmates.

I put it to'em straight that we have a special member in our class and to be supportive in every way and I wouldn't tolerate any teasing or laughing at his expense. I encourged them to help ME as little teachers to help him in feeling welcome.

He still is a solitary individual and will not hesitate to bite the hand off any student that dares to touch his belongings, but still....he laughs up a storm simply by watching his classmates having fun during breaktime. He's even relaxing enough to ask classmates to participate in one of his made up games as I wink at the classmate and say, "Go on, humor him a little.."
I think he's coming along just fine.

[mrsquirrel]

Last count I am up to 5 or 6.

Tiny girl with half a tongue. Doesn't speak at all not even KOrean. I have no idea how she communicates but her attitude has got better.

Kid who can't speak Korean very well who opens all my cupboards up and turns things on. He checks all the car doors in the morning. Nice enough a lad as well.

Girl who's facial features look like she has a genetic disorder.

Found out about a boy who went crazy playing online computer games. He is drugged to the eyeballs now. I'm a bit uncomfortable with him around though. He often goes out of the classroom and doesn't come back.

There are a couple of boys as well I am told are on drugs to keep them calm as well. Not sure what they are taking but if for whatever reason they mess up the time they take it at they sit with their heads on the desk for the lesson dozing.