Korean Job Discussion Forums

Thunndarr · Joined: 30 Sep 2003

physically removed a student from the classroom?

I've done it on a handful of occasions, generally as a last resort. The latest time was today. My co-teacher had grabbed a student by the wrist and was tugging him towards the door. He shook her hand off, and steadfastly ignored her as she told him to leave the class (he had been being quite disruptive today, as well as having a history of such behavior.)

In any case, nothing makes me angrier than having a student defy a direct order from a teacher, so, after seeing this boy (a fifth grader) shake off my co-teachers hand, I walked over to him, asked him to leave the classroom, was subsequently ignored (and he definitely understood me) so, took him by the elbows and physically lifted him into the air and walked him out of class. He was in no physical discomfort at this time, it should be noted, however I do think he was in a state of shock. In any case, after being set on the floor, he did listen to my co-teacher as she took him to his homeroom teacher for what I am sure was further disciplinary action.

On the bright side, the remaining students were quite attentive for the remainder of class.

In any case, has anyone else resorted to actual physical force in the case of removing unruly students from class? What were the repercussions and how did it work out for you?

Pak Yu Man · Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Location: The Ida galaxy

I've grabbed kids by the ear and moved them around. Tell them what to do.

Stand up. Either they stand up or it hurts like hell. If they fight me...it's their ear.

rockstarsmooth · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Location: anyang, baybee!

and i thought this was a drinking game.
damn.
rss Cool

right now i'm listening to: queens of the stone age - if only

Masta_Don · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Location: Hyehwa-dong, Seoul

Yeah but it's mostly elementary students so it proves no effort. For middle school students I get the disciplinarian in on the matter. Then they apologize and no more problems for a couple more days.

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

Once. A ten-ish year old named Chad. Normally I discipline in the class and don't like sending my students out of the room. But this kid was being ridiculous. It started with the not following instructions, then moved on to swearing (in English). I did the usual song and dance, warnings, "bad marks," threats to call parents, separation from friends, etc. Generally speaking, I have never had significant discipline problems in my classroom. Ah, but Chad. He decided to walk across the room to slap a fellow student.

It was the moment in comedy movie trailers where everything comes grinding to a halt with a record scratch. Time was frozen as everyone waited for me to do something. Chad obviously was expecting me to yell. So I calmly said, "Leave the classroom. Go talk to the principal. Now." Chad, the little scumbag that he is said, "No." So I said fine and walked up to him. By the time I made it to him some fear had crept into his eyes. I asked him one more time if he was going to leave. He said no again, but not quite as confident as the first time. I scooped him up, tossed him out of the classroom and slammed the door. Even if he didn't go to the principal, I knew he would be found by her anyway because students can't get away with loitering in the halls. He's not tried any of that nonsense since then, and his classmates were absolute angels for the rest of the day.

KYC · Joined: 11 May 2006

Question: In public schools, we are not allowed to discipline the children...in any physical manner. Is grabbing by the ears allowed? I'm a small framed girl and had a physical confrontation with an ADHD 4th grader yesterday. I told him to go to his classroom and find his teacher. He told me to shut up. I forcefully grabbed his arm and dragged him down the stairs but his teacher was nowhere to be found. I was too tired to drag him anywhere else so i let him go. He ran upstairs to my office and locked the door.

I would really like to just grab his ears and drag him. I just dont want to get in trouble for it.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

When I taught hagwon I dragged a few kids out on their asses.

Now at public school if they're defying an order I just squeeze the pressure point on their upper arm until they comply. It's only happened a few times, usually in middle school classes where I've had a crap co-teacher.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

patongpanda · Joined: 06 Feb 2007

I once frog-marched a boy out. Is frog-marched the right word? SOunds funny.

He was getting out of his chair and brutally punching girls in the face. Thought some kind of immediate action was required.

Turns out his father had murdered his mum by beating her to death over the weekend. School neglected to mention this to me.

ChopChaeJoe · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Location: Seoul

I not only have removed children from class, i once locked two students out of the entire school for fighting each other. It was actually heart-warming to watch them working together to get back into school. And they did too, somehow managed to get a locked door open. that's teamwork.

Boodleheimer · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:41 am Post subject:

G*d forbid students should ever realise that their teachers are worried about CONTROL

normalcyispasse · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 4:04 am Post subject:

Yes, I've removed children. It's not really that big a deal.

LuckyNomad · Joined: 28 May 2007

The only student I've had to drag out of the class is an elementary school student. I dragged him out of class by the ear. His homeroom teacher is a young woman who isn't the most effective disciplinarian.

In two of the classes, the teachers are older 40ish women. The atmosphere is very different in those classes. The second those teachers enter the classroom, it goes silent. Any chit-chatting comes to a halt when they yell, "YAH!!" I love it.

KYC · Joined: 11 May 2006

But what if the boy is what they call "special".....dragging him by the ears would not look good, eh? I've already made him cried. I have been here for only 3 weeks and already this boy is driving me nuts. I am positive he has ADHD. Yesterday during class I was showing the students the CD ROM, he just yanked the power cord from the computer. I told him to get out and he repeatedly told me to shut up. (Dont even know where he learned that word). I seriously want to just drag him by the ear since his lazy homeroom teacher doesnt stay with me and doesnt do crap.

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

I can't believe some of the things I've just read. Students - in Korea - ignoring their teacher's commands. Are you kidding? This just doesn't happen with Korean teachers. The kids would have their hides flayed off them.

It's not wise for any Western teacher to discipline students. That's not what we are here for. But if you get any of this nonsense - just hand the student to a Korean teacher. If they won't deal with it - simply refuse to teach the student. If that doesn't work - refuse to teach the whole class. Be firm. I've done this, and it works. But you have to be very firm and state that you will simply NOT tolerate students treating you with disrespect. Period. Good luck.