Korean Job Discussion Forums

[flicknut]

I've been here almost two years now. I've worked at two public schools in different provinces. These two lines are the same wherever I go:

1. I love you.
2. Oh, handsome boy!

90% of the time this comes from male students. I want to ban all students from saying it. How do you handle it in your school?

Any thoughts on the hidden message that these students are trying to convey?

[Rusty Shackleford]

I just ignore it and it has mostly gone away. Maybe down to twice a week after 6 months.

[Cerriowen]

It get male and female students saying "Teachaa so sexy" and "I love you Teachaa". I just smile and say "Oh Thank You". I figure they're using english, and it's making them confident to speak to a foreigner, so it doesn't affect me one way or the other.

If it bothers you, ignore it. If you make a big deal out of it, or look upset... that's a sure way to make sure EVERYONE will do it, or think it's funny when someone else does it.

[cruisemonkey]

When they tell me I'm handsome, I stop and say "No, VERY handsome."

[EzeWong]

[I'm no Picasso]

As a woman working at an all boys school where some of my little charges are past the age of puberty, it can get pretty bad sometimes. One student called me "baby" when addressing me in front of the entire class last week.

I used it as a chance for a vocabulary lesson. Now class 106 are all familiar with the English phrase, "You wish."

I just ignore "sexy" when I hear it. I think they're under the impression it has a much stronger impact than it does, because it contains the word "sex", which also often shows up written on the back of lesson books and whatnot.

As for the (seemingly more genuine), "Teacher, blue eyes! Beautiful!" I just say, "Thank you."

And every "Do you think I'm handsome boy?" receives a swift, "Too young."

[bogey666]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[antoniothegreat]

they probabley aren't being sarcarstic. that is just how they are, and they are trying to be nice to you.

my response, when girls say it (i am male) i smile and say thank you, you are very cute (because they are so cute, but it is not anything like pretty which can be taken wrongly). If a boy says it, I tell him that in American culture, that means he is gay (I am not gay bashing, I am just telling them) and them I give them a different thing to say, like "You are a good teacher" or "You are kind."

that way they are happy they used their english, i taught them some culture, and it is not difficult for me. everyone wins

[Fishead soup]

I say," I know"

[ernie]

i always say, 'let's get married, then. where's my gold ring?'

[Faunaki]

I usually ignore it too unless a kid calls me baby. If they do that I get them to stand up and apologize. If the kids say something like sexy blah blah I pretend to vomit and look like I will die.