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]