Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bundangbabo]

I have had my second complaint at this toytown GEPIK school and it is a student who has complained that I threw something at her - though there was a co-teacher who saw nothing and 38 other pupils - this student and a mate of hers have managed to scare my co-teacher into kowtowing to them by threatning to go to the education board.

Of course I'm innocent - I told my co-teacher did she see anything and she said 'no I must have been doing something else at the time' and now she has told me not to tell the class to shut up (this is when numerous occasions to tell them to 'be quiet' has failed) and that if they want to sleep or to do work for other classes then to let them.

I still cannot believe I have heard correctly! I have told the co-teacher in question to let anyone who fancies it take me to the education board - she then starts saying that she'll be dragged into too.

I can't believe the lack of backbone in this country. The students can dictate! What a pile of crock!

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Always stand up to them. If they want to fire you from such a school they'll probably be doing you a favour. Don't be afraid to freak the hell out of your CT if she deserves it. The next time those two act up I'd take them to their homeroom or the disciplinary teacher to make an example out of them.

The worst attempt (and it was a pretty feeble one) a student tried to pull on me was when she said her mother would be angry at me for confiscating her little make-up / hand cream bag that she and her friend were playing with, saying it belonged to her mother. 'Great' I said 'tell your mother to come see me about it'. That was the end of that.

Telling kids to shut up' is never a good idea. It's very unprofessional by western standards and is one of the few English phrases that Koreans recognise as very rude.

[Easter Clark]

I used to tell my classes to shut up. They got a good laugh out of it! These days I don't do it anymore (I just look at them), but every now and then the banjang will yell "Shut up!"

OP--I can totally identify with what you're saying. Recently, the students have all but taken over the school where I work--thanks to some negative media exposure and too much finger-pointing. I have my class from hell today, but I've decided not to judge their behavior in comparison to other (*normal*) classes, but to compare their behavior week-to-week. It's harder to get disappointed that way.

If they want to sleep, and your CT has no problem with it, then let 'em sleep. Why fight a losing battle? The best advice I've received is this: don't take it personally and get yourself in a better situation when you can.

[Juregen]

I had my students tell me that they wanted another teacher because their current teacher wasn't nice enough, and they would go somewhere else.

I kindly told them they don't have to come if they don't want to .

[Michelle]

Hi,

I must be lucky because all the teachers at my school do if the kids complain is to tell them to say 'I respect you' 'I love you' and blah blah.

Probably lucky my Korean is getting better so they can't get away with too much behind my back.

I hope they manage to keep this going...

[JJJ]

I personally don't like it if they sleep in my class. Science, Math, Korean, Konglish class...fine but not in my class. So, if they are sleeping, I do a powerful whistle first (students who see it coming put their fingers in their ears). If that doesn't work, the 2nd time, I just make them stand in the back. I say "If you want to sleep, you can sleep standing up." Works for me.

[bacasper]

High schoolers attend classes from 8am-10pm. Some even attend hagwons afterward until 1am.

I do not take it personally and have no problems with letting them sleep in my class, as one of my kotexes has advised.

[jbpatlanta]

[PRagic]

Start flooding the principals office and the VP office. Start using the words 'GET OUT'. Once the managment is inconvenienced, you'll be surprised how strict things get. And don't ask the co-teacher. Get a not written in Korea that says 'GO TO THE PRINCIPALS OFFICE' and make 100 copies. Hand them out when they act up. You don't need to take that crap here.

[wylies99]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[EricaSmile84]

I think it's very funny that this country pays so much money for us to come here to teach their children but the schools don't give a shit whether they participate in class or not. I can't complain because I'm getting paid, but this whole GET idea seems like a waste of money (at least the half-ass way Korea is doing it).

[Zutronius]

I'm never sure if I should let them sleep or not. My hs students are at school from 8-10 and I understand they're burnt out. But at the same time, I would like a few people taking part in my classes and not dozing.