Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wjf1]

I have been working at a hagwon for around 6 weeks now and most of my classes are fine. Except one. The class in question has 14 students in it, but unfortunately there are quite a few trouble-makers. I am constantly having to dish out discipline e.g. detentions.

Last week I gave one student detention for being disruptive because he was constantly shouting out in Korean. He was not happy about it, but I made sure he served the detention. However, I find out today that he told his parents that I am a 'boring teacher' and the class is too loud. He's now decided to pull out of the school.

The same kid also threatened to quit a few weeks ago due to the same reasons and I was told by my headteacher to be more entertaining and more strict. Due to the student now asking for a refund I have been served an official warning by the director of the school. It says on the form that a few weeks ago I was told about these issues and I made no improvements.

I think that's a little unfair considering I did introduce games to my lessons and I started giving badly-behaved students detentions. If I receive two more official warnings then it says in my contract that I can be instantly dismissed. However, it does also say that my grounds for dismissal must be reasonable.

Is being a boring teacher a reasonable reason to be sacked? I always arrive at work on time, most of my students do their work and 99% of my classes have no behaviour problems. As a new teacher I think I could be doing a lot worse, but my (new) hagwon seems to have extremely high expectations. What would be your advice?

[lifeinkorea]

Plan your exit.

Then, go into the office with your co-teacher and ask, "How do you want me to teach (it)?"

BE SPECIFIC. Get them to spell out what they want you to do, don't just take "improve yourself". Play games? Ok, what games? Entertain? Ok, how?

When you get the answers to these, then plan on doing 2 things:

1) Do what they are saying.
2) Connect with as many students as you can when being observed.

If they don't see you connecting and there are still complaints, then you will be removed.

[bobbybigfoot]

Welcome to Korea where the kids rule.

I would invest in candy and hand out generously.

Please remember that your job has NOTHING to do with education and EVERYTHING to do with money.

Keep the kids happy and make the parents believe the kids are learning. One trick is to sign EVERY page in EVERY book the kids have. The parents see your Signature and assume you are a good teacher.

[some waygug-in]

Unfortunately, what you and I would consider reasonable will be completely different from what your director/boss thinks.

The bottom line for him/her is paying customers.

Try asking the rest of the students in that class for their opinions, not saying they will be any different, but who knows?

If the rest of the class is happy, perhaps they could just move that one kid to another class.

If all else fails, you probably should expect the worst. Fairness does not even enter into the equation.


It's pretty much a no win situation for you. I've been through this a few times and they will always side with the students.

[tomato]

I've been through that process too.
I looked at the director straight in the eye and said, "I spend more time preparing for class than all the Korean teachers in this school put together."
That didn't save my job, but at least I'm confident that I fought for myself.

Betcha you can make the same claim.

[Fishead soup]

- Big silly bow tie with clashing spotty shirt.
- 2nt1 video off youtube with English subtitles.

[tanklor1]

[Chet Wautlands]

[liveinkorea316]

I have been in that situation a couple of times before si I think I can give you some pretty good advice.

Try your best to not discipline students harshly. Develop a thick skin and just push through lessons.

The less you confront students the far more less likely you are to face any kind of management anger again.

It is not the natural way one thinks about doing it but remember you are not at a public school where students cannot quit. Private schools in any country are run by the students. You just gotta find a way to push through lessons and let the disruptions slide a little bit and you will have a much better time.

I had these same problems when I tried to discipline disruptive adult students and uniersity students. You cannot win. Just play the game. It is what it is.

[Kaypea]

[Mr. Pink]

It is called RAPPORT. If you have a good rapport with your students, typically things will go smooth. There is a difference between being friends with your students and having a good rapport. If they feel there is a connection between you, they won't go complain to their parents. As others have said, dish out some candy. I haven't done it in years, but it is funny how candy can somehow establish a rapport with people you cannot communicate with.

[nomad-ish]

instead of giving detentions, why don't you start a reward system instead? preferably something where you can publicly (in your classroom) display each students reward "progress." that might shame/embarrass the bad kids into behaving a bit more.

[Hotwire]

Dress up as santa harabodgee each class and lug in a huge rubbish sack of candy!

[kingplaya4]

So you got a warning so what? If you really do get along with 99% of the other students as you said, you paid a small price to be free of a trouble maker. Try to make sure that your lessons are interesting without pandering, but otherwise, I wouldn't lose a minutes sleep over it. Save as much money as you can, and then the hagwon no longer owns you. The only other thing I'd say is don't take anything these kids do personal, believe at the beginning of each class that things are going to be different until they prove otherwise.

[Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida]

Run if you can.