Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sharkey]

Today on the break in between classes I wandered out to get some water in preparation for the class. The class is the worst in the school, but I've managed to keep the under control for the last four months. So anyways, I walk back in the class room and I see the bad group of boys. They're tools and often loud etc etc... and then I see this other boy who they like to pick on. I walk up to the desk, put my drink on the table and I see them talking.... no big deal I thought.. Well whatever it was they talked about it sparked a riot ... the solo kid hauls out one of those razor Xacto knife things.. and almost on cue the other boys haul out theirs. It was like a wild wild west movie, one guy hauls out his gun and the other hauls out his. All the boys pop their blades and and stare at each other... a razor blade standoff in my grade 5 classroom at break time. My coteacher grabbed the one boy's razor and I grabbed the animal kids razor and class went on as usual. I later saw the child's mother at the school... he was visibly upset and I wonder if anything will come of it. I am good friends with the homeroom teacher, but he doesn't suspect anything will.

Why aren't those razor blades banned? Thats just want I want, immature, emotionally driven students with tools capable of slicking veins !!

[Rusty Shackleford]

There have been four kids cut themselves with those things this semester. Cutting up erasers every time. "But they need them for their pencils!" It doesn't seem to register when I say "Yes, but they use mechanical pencils!"

[Tobias]

If you got cut and had to be hospitalized, I'm sure you'd have to provide a doctor's excuse if you took any sick leave. Without the proof you were really injured, no sick leave for you.

Korea will leave emotional scars. Apparently it will also leave physical scars.

[The Bobster]

I always confiscate those boxcutter knives when i see them. They always look at me like they can't understand why I'd object to having a lethal weapon in the room with me.

[Scotticus]

I had a classroom full of elementary school teachers today asking me when American students can't have box-cutters in school....

[Zulethe]

Knife fight wife fight

Heck that aint nothing new. Happens all the time in my classes. I just watch the action. Of course if someone gets cut real bad I'll send them to get patched up.

I'm not here to interfere with their development.

[goodsounz]

...and yet they're punished if they have a calculator in their possession...

[Theo]

[Zantetsuken]

[Theo]

Zantetsuken, due to my low number of posts at this point, I cannot send a PM to you. If you wish to send a PM to me, I will discuss some more.

[losing_touch]

A kid at my hagwon has been kicked out recently for something similar. I didn't think a kid would get kicked out of a hagwon, but it happened.

The kid was trying to get down the steps to get to the store so he could spend that 100 won burning a hole in his pocket on a cookie or something. Well, a group of students was standing in his way socializing on the steps. The kid reached into his bag, pulled out his razor and took a chunk of skin out of another kids arm.

He was kicked out of the hagwon, but I have heard he might be coming back. His parents paid for half of the hospital fees. After it happened, it was business as usual.

Those things should not be in the hands of children.

[geldedgoat]

[Theo]

A bit of clarification... the first post I added to this thread happened because I was reading the OP's story and then another poster, "Tobias," mentioned "physical scars," and so I felt compelled to say that my experience in Korea had also left me with "physical scars."

At this point, I've received a number of PMs inquring about my expereince. It's important to point out that my disability was not the result of violence from students. No, my serious misfortune was the result of an employer/manager who didn't care about my well-bring, and then a so-called "hospital" -- and a group of doctors -- who misdiagnosed, and therefore mistreated me (in more ways than one) for an extended period of time.

I don't mean to be so mysterious about it all, because what happened to me was terrible and should serve as a warning; but now that I have reached a point to share my experience I am concerned about doing so because:
a) naming my Korean employer (and also foreign managers) will likely trigger some very emotional responses; and
b) as someone who has participated in this, and other ESL forums (I also lived and worked in mainland China for five years prior to Korea) I know that most of the time when I have posted experiential information and opinions in various threads, that a debate often transpires. (I've posted in the China section for years under a different moniker since 2005 --went to China in 2003.)

If I tell what REALLY happened, some people will be shocked and likely will question/challenge some of my statements. I understand that, but having spent the past several months trying to stabilize my health and cope with what has become a lifelong condition, I don't want to field lots of questions and/or defend my statements.

I saw and experienced all sorts of bizarre things in China, but what happened to me in Korea was something that I could have never imagined, or possibly anticipated in my wildest dreams -- psychologically and physically.

Perhaps a third reason why I am hestitant about detailing my experience at this moment, is due to the thread itself. The original topic of this thread has little or nothing to do with what I encountered/endured.

Again, I apologize for being so cryptic about it all, but I'm concerned about how to find the best way, time, and forum in which to offer my story.

In closing, I think no FT in Korea should have to deal with youngsters (or students of any age) with lethal weapons. The original and resulting scenarios were alrming and appalling to me, as I have not taught children in Korea or China.

Any one of you in such circumstances, please do whatever is within your power to derail this violent insanity among Korean young people. I realize you are quite limted in what you can do, but do whatever you need to at least protect yourself, and PLEASE keep putting the word out on this forum -- and other ESL-related stes -- regarding this grave and escalating problem.

Again, China was crazy, but I seriously doubt such things are happening in elementary schools there.

[sharkey]

[jennzy]

i went to school in korea for 2 yrs gr.1-2
in gr.1 we had to build palaces out of boxes and guess what was ont he list of supplies to buy!
those exacto knives! i cut myself really bad and had to go to the hospital! and yup, i still have the scar on my pinky

wonder who thought it was a great idea to give gr.1's knives? i barely even learnt how to use real scissors before moving to korea (oh those safty dulled out plastic scissors of kindergarten and the big fat pencils)