Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fromtheuk]

We have one nightmare 5th grade class. Today, one particular student was trying to taunt me fairly close up at the end of the lesson. I dismissively wagged my finger toward him and he eventually left.

I have never raised the issue of discipline with my co-teacher, because we get on okay. During lunch, I told her that class is the worst one I've ever had, I told her that student was the worst.

I explained I could handle it for the next few weeks, but the next native teacher (if they are a newbie) would eventually collapse or quit, from such a class.

I said even though I used to argue with my last co-teacher, she would even refuse to teach a class if they were this bad.

I advised her the students are out of control. She acknowledged they are a problem.

The truth is my co-teacher cannot discipline students and doesn't want to. Whenever I ask students to stand in the corner, she approaches them minutes later and asks them to sit down. It's frustrating.

I've never raised this issue with her before because I've got a good reference from her and I want to keep things sweet to secure my next job in May.

I told her after lunch I am going to approach the home room teacher for that class and point out that student. She said she will contact them herself.

Anyway, I am going in person.

Another thing that irks me is the way my co-teacher looks at the kids when they misbehave and show me disrespect. I am not paranoid, but she kind of smiles, as though she tacitly approves.

So, I am going to approach the relevant home room teacher after lunch, point out the offending student (not expecting anything from it) just to put the heat on him.

My co-teacher is speaking to that home room teacher on the phone now, and she is kind of giggling about it. I will still go in person and point out the little twit anyway.

[fromtheuk]

I just went to the home room teacher, the little twit wasn't there yet, so I pointed to the Korean word 'rude' in my Korean-English dictionary. She responded that she knew it. Next time that twit behaves like that, I will ask him to stand in the corner, if my co-teacher lets him sit, I'll ask him to stand up again.

I pity the next native teacher, because they are going to go crazy without any discipline in class. If the next native teacher makes this an issue with my co-teacher, and they disagree, the class will be a discipline-free zone.

My co-teacher is fine, but she cannot control the class, she is an impediment to any form of discipline, therefore she is a liability and I suspect she doesn't care about the disrespect aspect, she is probably anti-foreigner too. If she is isn't, she just thinks this is a non-issue.

As soon as I get another job, I am going to start using my sick days. 15 of them.

[Fishead soup]

Most Korean Co-teachers are useless when it comes to Classroom management. Korean students are self policing. Allocate so much time for fun activities like ten minutes. Write ten minutes fun on the board. Every time a kid misbehaves substract one minute from that.

[fromtheuk]

This class is almost total anarchy. On a serious level, some of them were holding scissors to their necks. I told her if one of them does serious damage, we will be held responsible. She looked like it's no big deal.

I may prefer high school someday. To beat some of them to tears would be good.

[bogey666]

[fromtheuk]

It's a question of wisdom bogey. I have a month to go, I need this woman's verbal reference for my next job. I did a good job interview yesterday, so if I don't get this job, and follow your advice, I'm up a creek.

I also don't see any point in making this an issue when it is not going to benefit me in any practical way.

She also isn't interfering. She approaches them in what she thinks is a subtle manner and she tells them to sit down. I think she doesn't want them to miss out on their education.

She is too easy going. I agree this is a major issue, and the next native teacher will probably have a nervous breakdown, unless she asserts herself, as you've suggested bogey.

Also remember, my co-teacher doesn't ask any student to stand up at all, never.

My last co-teacher never questioned my discipline in class, and our relationship was 90% bad. I have a month to ago, with somebody I get on with around 85%. I will bite my tongue during these trying moments and be patient.

I must do what benefits me.

[Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida]

I look forward to your future posts about the new co-teacher.

[Fishead soup]

[fromtheuk]

It's already been done......pistols.

[Jammer113]

If I ask a student to stand in the corner, my coteacher will always wait a few minutes and then speak to them before telling them to sit down. I really appreciate it. Half of punishment is punishment. The other half is councilling. Because of my relatively poor Korean, I usually can't council students. Especially with boys, it's important to talk to them about what they're doing wrong and why they shouldn't.

I'm curious, UK. How many good relationships have you had with coteachers, and how many bad ones?

[WendyRose]

I had a class like this last semester. They would smear glue sticks all over each other, crawl under the table with their cell phones, stand on the table and do belly dances...it was ridiculous.

My co-teacher at the time always had something to do during that class and would never show up. I often caught her in the next room shopping for clothes on the internet, gabbing on the phone or taking a nap.

The homeroom teacher knew that those kids were brats. This semester that homeroom teacher is now my co-teacher and I adore her with ever part of my being. She is a fantastic teacher who cares about the students...I have no idea what went wrong last semester.

My only advice is to perhaps ask the homeroom teacher to stay during a class period, at least for a short while (or have her come in halfway through to check on things). The kids seem to respect their homeroom teachers and it might calm them down (if only a little) if they had no idea when she would walk in.

Anyway, I feel your pain.

[Scotticus]

[bogey666]