Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Phant0m]

This week alone, I caught a couple of students in 2 of my classes playing hwatu, one of those small, red playing cards. The first time, the CT told me that she would take care of it, but as far as I saw, nothing was done to the students, except forcing a half-hearted apology from them. The second time, I asked the (different) CT if I can speak to the Principal, Vice-Principal, or anyone else on the higher level, so that they may speak with the students personally. However, the CT refused, saying to the effects of "they're just kids" and "there was no money involved".

Is there anything I can do about this situation? Or should I just forget about it and let it slide, like the CT wants to do?

[IncognitoHFX]

[pkang0202]

Its also known as "Go Stop".

Its a gambling card game.

[Faunaki]

Let it go. I don't really see the problem. If they are playing in class, take their cards and make them clean up/exercise/whatever. Then give them the cards back.

[Jandar]

Doesn't matter what the students are playing with.

I remove any distractions from my students, cards, laser pointers, comic books (or any other book that is not my text book), combs, phones, ipods.

I take everything, they can have them back at the end of class, but during my class I remove all distractions, including erasers If I think the student is cutting them in small pieces and throwing them about the room.

I let them keep electronic dictionaries, unless they are accessing a game on them, no ear phones.

[I_Am_The_Kiwi]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Cards that can be used for gambling - hwatu or regular poker cards - are forbidden at my school. Thrice I've seen students playing with them and have sternly told them to put them away asap which they quickly did. I know of at least one case where some kids got punished for having them by the Korean teachers.

[CentralCali]

Flower Cards are a type of playing card. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different games that can be played using the flower card deck. Evidently, the most popular game played with them in Korea today is Go Stop. Back in the 1970s, my Korean friends in Seoul greatly preferred to play a game called Minhwatu (this site is in English and you can play against a computer).

Removing the distraction seems to work the best for me also. If the students are playing cards, reading comic books, or cutting up an eraser, I continue with the lesson but at the same time I remove the item. I just walk to the front of the class and put it on top of the chalkboard. They can get the items back themselves after the class is over. The kids like that method too.

[IncognitoHFX]

[antoniothegreat]

i am known as a bit of a nazi by some FTs, but my methods are effective. if they play with something like that in my class, i take what they are playing with. if it is cheap, like a ball, it is now mine, they never get it back. if it is expensive, like a phone, i give it back in a month, if they complain or try to negotiate, 5 weeks, more complaining, 6 weeks.

before any newbies try to tell how bad i am, this only needs to be done once a twice a year to the incoming kids, and the reputation is set.

needless to say, in my class, there are almost always no distractions.

[John_ESL_White]

[rooster_2006]

If kids playing hwatu bothers you, I really wonder how you can stand teaching here. How about kids bringing pellet guns to class and shooting them all over the room and refusing to hand over the gun, or calling the teacher an asshole, punching the teacher, ddongchiming the teacher, etc? I just fail to see how hwatu hurts anyone emotionally or physically.

[gazz]

I use blackjack as a tool. (only for my after school classes). If they do the reading ect ect exercise, whilst giving 100% I make a point of leaving 10 mins at the end of the lesson for it. They must count in English, each game the winner gets a small candy sweet.

It motivates the pupils so much!

The problem I have is many of my after school classes are from grade 3-6. Besides this two of my pupils have lived in the US for a couple of years so speak great English.

Carrot and stick is the best way forward for such situations. I even use them to translate for me even though my after school T speaks great English, make them feel useful! I alternate between difficult and easy after school classes so they all get a fair education.

As for the K card game, i was introduced to it whilst on a field trip. After a few soju's one of my K teachers basically told me that there are no definitive rules for the game and it varies from area to area.

A point i can understand given all the variations on poker (which they know!)

This game is sooooo hard to comprehend though!

[poet13]

Make 'em explain it to you in English, then play with them.....in English. I make my students explain stuff to me all the time in English. It becomes a group activity, each students adding a word.

[EuroFunk]