Korean Job Discussion Forums

[orin_louis]

Surely, posts exist on these topics, so referrals appreciated.

1. Are teachers allowed to have laptops open during classtime? (I do not expect kids to.)
2. I have low blood sugar, and need to just munch on something about every 2 hrs or I'm worthless. If I sneak in my own fruit or granola bars, will I be reproached?
3. Students chewing/popping gum or eating large meals during class time annoy me. Having taught college in the states, this is a consistent distracting problem for myself and other students. Korea?

Thanks in advance.

[lifeinkorea]

Fruit is not good for low blood sugar (if fruit is helping you, then that means you are not watching your levels carefully enough as the sugars help people get out of a hypoglycemic state but it doesn't stabilize until you eat a proper meal). I have the same problem and I have found peanuts, carrots (or other vegetables), and oatmeal (but not too much) work well.

Don't ya hate it when kids offer you candy or gum? I have to say no, and they don't realize it's cause of my health and not them, lol

I would just tell the school your situation upfront. They are most likely not going to respond negatively, but if you don't say anything and they see it, then they might not know and then it will look bad.

[orin_louis]

Great, thanks.

How about gum, though?
Can students chew gum (or eat) in class?
May be silly questions, but what better place to get them out, eh?

[lifeinkorea]

It's a negotiating factor, more so with your students than the school. If you make your students realize they shouldn't be chewing gum but allow it on the condition they cooperate with you during a lesson, then it can work to both people's advantage. If the whole class is doing it, and it's getting in the way of the lesson, then you need to deal with it as early in class as you can. Either remove bags or have each put their bag outside so they don't grab more stuff out.

[JJJ]

1. You can bring your laptop if you want to do a powerpoint or something.
2. You can eat between classes....why not.
3. If you don't want them to eat (never had that problem) or not chew gum, tell them the first day. I have no problem with gum unless they start popping and smacking and cracking it like some old adjumma on the subway. Then it's gone. But if they can keep their mouths closed like their mother should have taught them, then no worries, enjoy.

[harlowethrombey]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Chewing gum in class is considered quite rude in Korea. You shouldn't have to teach for more than an hour at a time, so popping a quick snack should be no problem.

[gregoriomills]