Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Fishead soup]

From the minute I landed until I finally settles down in my new school I must have lost count of all the times I heard" Our students are sooo shy".

If they were really that shy why would they run up to me on the street and say" Teacher I love you" They wouldn't use the F word within ear shot of the teacher or use the middle finger in clear view.

So why are we bombarded with the shyness excuse non stop every day.
I beginning to think it's just a big cop-out. The Korean teachers are trying to politely apologuise for their students bad speaking ability. By saying they are shy they are also hiding behind the whole Cultural difference thing too. If it part of the National character than its perfectly acceptable to be a complete wall flower in class. Its acceptable to speak at a volume that no one can hear.

[Otherside]

Yes, I's beens hearings the sames things too. I's thinks its somethings to do's with koreans cultures. Or's they's very embarresed.

[lifeinkorea]

I think "shyness" is just an umbrella term which often means they really feel uncomfortable because they are inexperienced talking to foreigners. When I was in Kyoto it was a lot different because I lived in a big tourist city. So, people knew how to interact without the language barrier getting in the way. Here in Korea, it seems like they have less opportunities.

[Jammer113]

I agree with you to a large extent, but I think the teachers are including a lot in their 'shyness' statement.

For example, it can be very embarrassing for a student to have to say something in front of class. If another student can detect an error, that student loses face. If the student is perfect, and the best in class, that student can be known as a show-off.

Also, a number of my students, especially girl students, do speak so quietly to their Korean teachers that its difficult to hear them. I don't have any specific numbers, but Korean teachers tell me that.

I have students that are great English speakers who refuse to stand up and say something... I also have students who are horrible English speakers who will talk all day long in English. The only students who bother me are the ones that say "I don't have to do this activity because I don't speak English". Of course, they say that in Korean.

When I was a student in school, I was one of the most talkative, disruptive students... but I literally had panic attacks if I had to give a presentation in front of class. It was bad enough that I nearly collapsed to the floor sometimes. It took me years and years to work through, and sometimes I can feel the panic coming back anyways.

[Draz]

[agoodmouse]

The requirement to succeed is so great here, students are unwilling to go beyond their comfort zone of saying nothing and so therefore avert failure.

However, since they venture nothing, nothing is gained in terms of English speaking/learning.

[harlowethrombey]

[Robot_Teacher]

Oh, OP, "you must understand our culture."


The shyness is fear of making a mistake and looking like a small idiot. This goes for both students and adults minus a few open minded examples as we're all individual. I too feel a bit shy about speaking Korean as when I try, I'm not well understood due to the importance of correct pronunciation. English pronunciation is least important to being understood like it is for Korean speaking. I want all Koreans to understand it's OK to make pronunciation and sentence structure mistakes and learn from failed attempts to try again. Some people figure it out that if you can only speak words and forget formal structures of thinking, you can better communicate.

[jkelly80]

I've heard this used to explain why ajeossis spit at my feet while walking with Korean women. It's bunk.

[Fishead soup]