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renzobenzo1
Joined: 08 Sep 2007
Location: Suji, Yongin
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 Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:07 pm Post subject: Teaching is becoming a daily battle..... |
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I'm just approaching the 6-month mark at a middle school and the novelty or fun of teaching is definately wearing off.
Discipline in the classroom is becoming extremely difficult. The students are just so rude. They talk, fight and don't do their work. It all seems like just a joke to them.
When a co-teacher is there they ignore them too.The co-teacher even took one girl outside the other day and slapped her and stormed her off to the principal. It is worse without the co-teacher present.
I give out punishment cards, send them outside, stand them up, make them do laps outside but it is all just a waste of time for me and limits those who want to learn.
No students in my country acted this way.
This is my first time teaching. Maybe I need a holiday too.
What is is like in the Hagwons or teaching adults? Do they want to learn more and are they better behaved? Easier to teach a smaller group.....?
But tell me is it just Koreans to their English teacher or are Korean students just plain rude? |
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as-ian
Joined: 04 Sep 2007
Location: Busan, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:39 pm Post subject: |
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This is really the time where you find out whether or not you are cut out to be a teacher. Everyone who comes here are not always cut out to handle these kinds of situations (especially the unfortunate ones you have had to face).
It isnt that the Korean kids are rude to anyone. It is more of a question of whether or not you have the ability to maintain your role as the leader in the classroom. If you cannot maintain this, then your time will not be the most fun.
I hope im not coming off as an a-s-s~hole, but these are important things to consider. I work at the same hagwon for the last four years, and i havent had any trouble so far. Alot of people consider public schools as better then hagwons, and Unis as better then either two. I personally find my hagwon as the perfect fit, and there is no straight answer to which is better. One works better for some then others.
I am not sure if this is helpful, and if not, im sorry. x_x |
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lowpo
Joined: 01 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:48 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching is becoming a daily battle..... |
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| renzobenzo1 wrote: |
I'm just approaching the 6-month mark at a middle school and the novelty or fun of teaching is definately wearing off.
Discipline in the classroom is becoming extremely difficult. The students are just so rude. They talk, fight and don't do their work. It all seems like just a joke to them.
When a co-teacher is there they ignore them too.The co-teacher even took one girl outside the other day and slapped her and stormed her off to the principal. It is worse without the co-teacher present.
I give out punishment cards, send them outside, stand them up, make them do laps outside but it is all just a waste of time for me and limits those who want to learn.
No students in my country acted this way.
This is my first time teaching. Maybe I need a holiday too.
What is is like in the Hagwons or teaching adults? Do they want to learn more and are they better behaved? Easier to teach a smaller group.....?
But tell me is it just Koreans to their English teacher or are Korean students just plain rude? |
if you decide to stay for another year, you should try a good hogwan. The classes are smaller and most of the kids want to learn English.
Sometimes you do have a had full with teaching classes in a public school.
Yesterday I could not teach one of my classes, becuase they where so lazy. Today I had to tell another class no game or free time until they can be good in class. |
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Boodleheimer
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
Location: working undercover for the Man
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:51 pm Post subject: |
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keep in mind that schools vary. my school this year is a 'comprehensive high school', so some students are getting vocational training and some are going on to college. the kids don't really care about learning. the korean teachers don't take it too seriously, either.
last year i was at a strict school that was quite hard to get into.
huuuuuge difference. this year is going to be a challenge. i've got to change my whole mindset, it seems. |
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renzobenzo1
Joined: 08 Sep 2007
Location: Suji, Yongin
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:51 pm Post subject: |
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Usually it is a walk in the park and I just know somehow I am a good teacher and I get good feedback.
It seems there are about 5-6 trouble makers in every class who have been revving up lately.....It is no surprise their English ability is the worst so they try to distract others......
I am aware that I am a guest here in a way and cannot hit the students etc. and I still want to make a good impression on them and not be 'the bad guy'. I don't like yelling at them and giving punishment but there seems there is no other way about it....
I am not planning to quit yet, so any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.
P.S. I read some of Daves listed suggestions and one was to threaten to call the students parents-is this rash?
Another thing bugging me is students slurring the English words on purpose, calling out slang terms for fun and finishing their reading out loud later than everyone else-is this anything other than arrogance/rudeness or what? how to handle? |
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xtchr
Joined: 23 Nov 2004
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:58 pm Post subject: |
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Don't threaten to call their parents unless you are able to fully converse with Korean parents, and are willing to go through with the threat. In any event I think it should be done by their homeroom teacher.
If it's any consolation I think the second semester is much better than the first at middle school - it's much shorter for one thing.  |
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Atavistic
Joined: 22 May 2006
Location: How totally stupid that Korean doesn't show in this area.
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 11:00 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching is becoming a daily battle..... |
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| renzobenzo1 wrote: |
When a co-teacher is there they ignore them too.
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THIS is your major problem.
I can't believe how lazy the teachers at my school are. I didn't know it was literally possible for students to climb up walls until I came here. The teachers let the kids run freakin' crazy wild and threaten them with usless, empty, "Wait until you get to middle school..." threats. |
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nobbyken
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Location: Yongin ^^
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 11:05 pm Post subject: |
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How about a awarding points or credits to the class for homework achievment and good study at class.
Take them away, after a warning to the said students, for bad behaviour.
The rest will of the class will try to get them in line.
Worth a try? |
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kermo
Joined: 01 Sep 2004
Location: Eating eggs, with a comb, out of a shoe.
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 11:22 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching is becoming a daily battle..... |
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| renzobenzo1 wrote: |
I'm just approaching the 6-month mark at a middle school and the novelty or fun of teaching is definately wearing off.
Discipline in the classroom is becoming extremely difficult. The students are just so rude. They talk, fight and don't do their work. It all seems like just a joke to them.
When a co-teacher is there they ignore them too.The co-teacher even took one girl outside the other day and slapped her and stormed her off to the principal. It is worse without the co-teacher present.
I give out punishment cards, send them outside, stand them up, make them do laps outside but it is all just a waste of time for me and limits those who want to learn.
No students in my country acted this way.
This is my first time teaching. Maybe I need a holiday too.
What is is like in the Hagwons or teaching adults? Do they want to learn more and are they better behaved? Easier to teach a smaller group.....?
But tell me is it just Koreans to their English teacher or are Korean students just plain rude? |
Teaching is a very very difficult thing. Some people really struggle with it-- even thoughtful, resourceful, creative people. Some classes are a grind, some schools create a rotten atmosphere, some material is a real bear.
I've done it with every age group, I've taught in classrooms as a home-room teacher, as a substitute teacher, and as a tutor. I'm definitely getting better but I struggled to keep control and discipline in class for the first while, and it's a very common problem.
You've got to do your best with what you've got, and I'm sorry that the co-teacher isn't helping. There are a few tricks that could go along way, though.
For example, you haven't mentioned that you use any rewards. It's an indisputable scientific fact that organisms respond to rewards more than to punishments. I teach in a university, and I still use rewards. I spend a LOT more time rewarding than I do punishing or even acknowledging bad behaviour.
Take this situation, for instance.
You've got 10 kids working, as instructed. You've got 1 kid fooling around and staring at the sky. Most people would focus on the kid who is off-task, and give him a reminder or a punishment. What would this accomplish? It distracts the kids who are working, and doesn't necessarily make the off-task kid do anything. Instead, what if you gave each of the ten kids a small token of praise, like a stamp, sticker, or tiny candy? You're giving your attention where it belongs. Those kids are more likely to behave the next time, and you can bet that the distracted kid is going to notice.
Change the numbers if you like, to 1 kid working well and 10 kids fooling around-- the principle is the same.
Here's what I do. Each student has to bring their textbook to class. I have them write their names inside the front cover. When they do something positive, like follow instructions, ask a question, correct one of my mistakes, help a friend, etc., I walk over, tell them what I like, e.g., "good listening!" or "I like questions." and stamp their books. If a student is not doing their work, they don't get a stamp. I often don't even look at them. I just walk by (usually by the time I've come back around, they've tried to catch up with the others.) The stamps are "participation points" which are factored into their final score.
Here's how it helps me:
-students are MUCH more likely to bring their books to class, which keeps them on-task and participating (no book = no stamps)
-I'm walking around the classroom, more aware of what's going on
-I can show students exactly what kind of behaviour I appreciate
-I can reward students who are making an effort, even if their ability is low
-it creates a really positive atmosphere when students know their efforts are being noticed
-I can peek at their books to help remember their names
-when I grade at the end of the semester, I have a fairly objective record of who made an effort, not just the memory of who was the best at attracting my attention.
-it motivates students who would otherwise be uninterested. They don't care about English, and they might not even care about a good grade, but they don't like falling behind on stamps.
It's very tricky to try to change course mid-semester, but I think you can pull it off. It'll take a lot of dedication now, but you'll be thankful for it later. |
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renzobenzo1
Joined: 08 Sep 2007
Location: Suji, Yongin
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 1:24 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the replies.
I could definately work on the reward side of things more.
It just seems a burden to me having to fork out for more chocolate pies everytime-maybe some sweets would go further.
Video bribes don't seem to work but I will put my thinking cap on tonight and see what I can come up with.
In truth I teach at 2 middle schools shared over a week and the discipline and aptitude standards at one school compared to the other are staggering. It is the one that falls short where I have the problems-no co-teacher for the entire time there either :/ |
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boyne11
Joined: 08 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 1:32 am Post subject: |
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If punishing the individual doesn't work, try punishing the entire class for individual wrong.
Sometimes peer pressure works wonders. |
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ED209
Joined: 17 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 1:51 am Post subject: |
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| Candy and sweets aren't that expensive. You could awards marks, three marks equal a treat. You could also use an old raffle book to make larger prizes go further. |
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ddeubel
Joined: 20 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 1:54 am Post subject: |
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If punishing the individual doesn't work, try punishing the entire class for individual wrong.
Sometimes peer pressure works wonders. |
boyne,
Please read Kermo's thoughtful reply.
Kermo,
very insightful and I thank you for the time taken to write it. Definitely something we need to hear, no matter what our situation.
DD |
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ddeubel
Joined: 20 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 1:58 am Post subject: |
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One thing I would do, to make your teaching life better - besides maintaining a good social/outside life is, shake things up!
First, if you are having discipline problems, don't tackle it head on. Handle it in another way. I'd try to give them work that will keep ALL students on task. Mini books work well, they are busy drawing, cutting and pasting etc....your goal then is to teach English "incidentally" through your interaction with students in the classroom while they do their projects.
Try some karaoke and try some things which are about the students lives. However you can manage it. I understand you are in M.S. (a dreadfully dreary place in "most" cases for students) and might not have the liberty to alter curriculum. But try to get permission and persuade the powers that be....
Competition keeps kids on task also.....
Just a few quickly written thoughts.
DD |
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boyne11
Joined: 08 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 2:10 am Post subject: |
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| ddeubel wrote: |
| Quote: |
If punishing the individual doesn't work, try punishing the entire class for individual wrong.
Sometimes peer pressure works wonders. |
boyne,
Please read Kermo's thoughtful reply.
Kermo,
very insightful and I thank you for the time taken to write it. Definitely something we need to hear, no matter what our situation.
DD |
Yeah, it's very nice in theory. Candies and stickers only work for elementary level. The OP is talking about middle school kids who are hard headed teenagers. |
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