Korean Job Discussion Forums

[OptimalOptimus]

I�ve lived in Japan, China, and Korea and this is my best job, by far.

I like my job. As a university professor, I work 12 hours a week, have 5.5 months paid vacation, make a decent wage (not earth shattering, but over 2.5 a month), get fabulous gifts from the school like free dinners, $500 gift credit cards and cash bonuses, jackets, wine, running shoes, etc. It�s nice. The director of my department is very kind, the administration is friendly, my apartment is nice, though in an old area, and it�s free. Having an E-1 visa has its own perks too, including a suite shared with diplomats and foreign investors when I go to the immigration office, and very expedited service (getting a new alien card takes 4-7 days in the regular service area of the immigration office, took me 30 minutes at the suite. Same for special visas, like the addition-of-workplace visas and the like. Fabulous!)


My students, alas, are problematic. Most are relatively kind and respectful. But there is a small minority, less than 7%, who get on my nerves. These students, young adults now, forget to bring book, pencil, or paper to class. They sometimes (though rarely) come late, and in general, their work ethic as students is lackluster. Girls doing their make-up in class. Talking while I�m talking or another student is answering or presenting, just ridiculous. Loud talking and screaming in the academic halls, even during exam time, even by my students after they have completed their tests and go outside the classroom�


My questions: Is this laissez-faire approach to higher education by students unique to Asia? I�ve worked at another university before moving to Seoul and the students were similar. Is this the caliber of the students? I have noticed the better and more academically rigorous the department is, the better the students have been. Would an Ivy League school, like SNU, have better student behavior overall? I�ve heard the same thing goes on in some universities in Japan and China.


In America, in both undergrad and graduate school, absolutely NONE of the behavior I�ve seen at these Korean universities ever occurred. It never even approached the outer rims of our collective imaginations to go to class without books, pencil, or paper. Or to come late, especially in a class with less than 30 students. Or to be loud anywhere except the dining halls or student centers or dorms. Certainly not in building where classes are going on.

The loudness, I suppose, will just have to be tolerated and mitigated, but how can I control the behavior in my classrooms. And should I really need to dust off class behavior management skills for a university setting? Any suggestions? Comments? Discuss.

[Radius]

You gotta grow a pair and set the tone. Tell them you HAVE failed students in the past (even if you haven't) and WILL fail students in the future who do not take your class seriously. Tell the girls to put make up on BEFORE class and whoever talks tell them once to stop. If they keep on doing it politely tell them to leave. Make examples out of people.

[sluggo832004]

[toonchoon]

7%

hehe

that's not bad.

my students pay attention to me though cos I like to pick on them at times. the ones that don't like that don't show up. just how it goes. they'll get D's and F's. life.

[PatrickGHBusan]

7% is pretty normal. There are bad students in every group right?



I also think you your memories of Western University are a bit stale. Students today, routinely miss class, show up with their laptops and use them in class (not all of them use the lap tops to take notes), bring coffee and snacks, answer their cell phones, text each other....

I withnessed this as recently as last month when I was invited to deliver a conference/lecture in a Toronto University.

[OptimalOptimus]

I'm 30 years old, not 300. My memory is not "stale!"

[PatrickGHBusan]

[Kaypea]

[Landros]

if you are just teaching "freshmen English" the students probably aren't divided by level so it can be really difficult for some and really easy for others. Most of your students aren't going to major in english so might see "English" class as a bit of a joke. either useless or unimportant for their future.

anyway how about observing students taking another class in their magor and see what the Korean professors permit. Ask a Korean professor if you can sit in and see how students behave his his/her class.

It might make you feel better that their "lack of respect" is normal in their other classes.

anyway about the halls yeah I noticed that too. it might have something to do with the way things are done here. I mean back home often students leave when finished a test and quietly leave if I remember correctly but I think here usually students all leave together so maybe they are just not used to being reserved when out of class.

With all their MTs and what not I think uni students feel the school belongs to them. at least there usually is good "spirit" on most campuses even if it is mostly freshmen. at least it isn't boring. they pipe down pretty quick when a senior is around. I guess it is a case of mice playing when the cat isn't around...

[BoholDiver]

This is a Confuscianist and Authoritarian country. Take charge. People will follow your rules or find another teacher who is a push-over. Either way it is good for you.

[Died By Bear]

I bet a lot of people wished the had your problems.

[Theme]

[gillod]

7%? In my elementary school classes it's like 97%. Count you blessings.

[MalFSU1]

[zappadelta]

To the OP, I would suggest a CELTA for learning some classroom management skills. You need to take control of your classes.