Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fakeplastiktree]

I teach at a public middle school in Seoul and just started my second semester there. I'm fortunate to have been placed in a very good school in terms of English ability. However, the school is 75% (teenage) boys and I'm not very authoritative. By the end of last semester, I was having considerable difficulty controlling my classes. It didn't seem possible for 2 teachers (the Korean co-teacher and I) to keep FORTY rambunctious 13-year olds paying attention and/or staying on task. Perhaps my expectations are too high?

I've always been a big believer of positive reinforcement over punishment but that just does NOT seem to work in a classroom with 40 middle school students. My classes for the new semester start next week and I'm racking my brain trying to figure out how I can go about commanding authority from the start (especially considering most of my students are already familiar with my teaching style from last semester). Any input would be GREATLY appreciated!!

[jvalmer]

Why is your school 75% boys?

Can't give you specifics but generals.
I have rarely seen positive reinforcement work in the long run. I think you've basically lost the kids you've seen already, so it will be difficult changing your style with them. But you can try.

With the new entering kids you have to be a dictator at the beginning and lay off as needed. Especially with boys, you can't be nice. Firm and fair, if a kid gets out of line you have to slap them down right away. For me it's mostly loud voice, or the stare. Once you get to know the students you'll know which ones require a firm hand.

[fakeplastiktree]

I think you're right about having essentially "lost" the kids I taught last semester. But I was wondering if maybe I should hit them (not literally) with a bunch of rules straight from the start and then clearly state what the penalties are to breaking those rules. For example, "if you talk when the teacher's talking, you get sent outside for 5 minutes" or something like that. Personally, doing that on the first day (when they're likely to be on their best behaviour) seems overkill to me but what I've done in the past obviously hasn't worked. *Sigh*

[frankly speaking]

sending kids outside of class for talking is kind of defeating your purpose of having rules. What kid doesn't want to be sent out of class? You are rewarding them not punishing them by doing that.

Lots of pop quizes and then tell them that anyone who fails will get a call to mother.

Being authoritarian is one method to keep control, but it isn't the only method. Again if you are spending more time punishing and lecturing, then you are instructing, you are wasting their time and yours.

The best way to keep control is to keep the lesson active.

The attitude of "how dare you talk while I am talking, the sacred teacher" is ineffective. The issue should be about what they are talking about not about listening to teacher. Perhaps they are listening too much. Public School teachers do have a tendency to ramble and lecture a lot, which is no the best method for teaching EFL.

Shorter instruction and longer activities or language reinforcement opportunities for them. It doesn't have to be a game room, but it shouldn't be a lecture class also. You are helping them learn how to use the language not lecturing about the language.

[Fishead soup]

You should either be co-teaching every class or breaking the large class in two and teaching smaller groups. If for some reason one or some of your Korean co-teachers are skipping out go look for them and don't go back into the class without a co-teachers. The students know they can do what ever they want when the foreigner is alone.

If you are co-teaching and you are still having problems. Insist your Korean co-teacher is active in the classroom make them stand at the front with you. Last semester I had one who insited on standing at the back. This semester I insist they all stand at the front with me.

We have a system

Model dialogue- We do the roleplay students listen

Korean teacher translates the dialogue.

Choral repetition

Pairwork- Students practice the dialogue in pairs. Then change roles and practice again

Substitution drill or Information gap.

I also use lots of PPT with Choral Repetition this keeps the students focused.

[winterfall]

[buildbyflying]

What's your idea of "out of control"? First define what it is that you want the students to do. It must be very clear. Then work towards that.

I think there's always going to be some degree of disruption. To certain degree this is good. It's their normal behavior. We have this notion that students sit and listen, which only suggests we forgot all those years we ourselves went to school.

And positive reinforcement does work. Negative reinforcement and high stress inhibits learning -- learning is emotional and physiological, you must cater to both.

I've been a heavy handed authoritarian in class, to mixed results. I'm just now learning how to treat these kids well, and it doesn't always work, but I wouldn't go back to that.

[crazy_arcade]

don't try to control them

set up boundaries, follow through, and engage with thoughtful lessons.

[Captain Obvious]

Listen carefully to everything the political correct brigade tells you ... then do the opposite.

[jacksthirty]

I've worked at a Boy's middle school and am currently working at a Technical High School where 75% off the students are male.

Make sure your co-teacher is there with you. The other poster mentioned this. This is important. If your co-teacher doesn't show up, then don't go to class. If the school complains about it, then point out that you are an 'assistant teacher' therefor you are assisting the Korean teacher. I believe EPIK/GEPIC etc are quite clear about this.

Employ some simple tactics to get them to be quiet. It's very difficult to have the students calm and obediant for the whole class. Tell them that every time you raise their hand they must stop talking. Make a note of the time it takes them to calm down. At the end of class add up all the time they took to calm down, and make them stay in class during their break time.

Eventually they will understand that their break time is at risk (this is extremely effective the class before lunch). Some students will start telling their classmates to behave, or if they are late for other classes the teachers may inflict harsher punishment on them than you or your co-teacher. Classes should calm down but don't expect complete obedience!

I work with low low level English students with low low motivation, so this tactic works with me, but it probably won't work with others!!!

[yingwenlaoshi]

Keep the ignorant kids after the bell rings, 9 minutes or 12 and have them explain to their next teacher why they are late.

If any students stay 3 times late, the fourth time everybody stays late.

Of course, chronic indiviudal offenders would get the chance to eat and sit quietly with me the entire lunch period in the English Zone and away from their friends.

[Manuel_the_Bandito]

[ChilgokBlackHole]