Korean Job Discussion Forums

[okelleyas]

Is it ALL middle school boys that have a total disregard for teachers, or just the ones I have experience with? I can not get a word in without having to yell extremely loud just to be heard over them! The middle school girls I have no problem with - they are just shy and quiet. I'm losing my voice over these boys.

[jvalmer]

I totally feel for you, middle school boys are awful. You probably hate northward of 70% of the boys. It's too late this semester, but next semester you've got to be a hard@ss, mean, mean teacher that takes no carp to the incoming new crop of trouble makers.

[rollo]

Boys that age are difficult not just in Korea. they need a firm hand, in fact that is what they are looking for. Jvalmeris correct. You have to toughen up. This is why many parents in the West put there boys in sports programs run by strong disciplinarians. They are testing you and they are also looking for guidelines.

[Fishead soup]

You have to distinguish between the swing students and the actual terrors.
Some of them speak English quite well they go to Hogwans and they are quite bored with your class. While there is another group who has never studied English outside of public school.

If you can win over the swing students you've won half the battle.
BTW this is the worst time of the year.

[sulperman]

As the semester goes on they get worse and worse.

At the beginning of next semester they will be good again. Try to keep that going as long as possible. When they start to fall out of line react with an iron fist.

[discostu333]

Agreed, always start with an iron fist. That has been my biggest mistake this year. Having only taught elementary before, I came in to my all boys middle school in the same role as Mr Nice Guy Dancing White Clown. Bad idea.

Don't expect younger female co-teachers to support you. They usually sit at the back of class crying because they have absolutely no control over their classes. Make friends with and keep good relationships with the older ajumma /adjoshi teachers, especially if there is a discipline teacher at your school. The boys are absolutely terrified of these teachers and threatening to send them out of class to visit said teachers is a guaranteed way to keep order.

Don't give quarter for one second, they will eat you alive.

[jvalmer]

[okelleyas]

[quote="discostu333"]Make friends with and keep good relationships with the older ajumma /adjoshi teachers, especially if there is a discipline teacher at your school. The boys are absolutely terrified of these teachers and threatening to send them out of class to visit said teachers is a guaranteed way to keep order.
quote]

I work at a hagwon, and the one adjoshi has a wooden paddle that he uses when the students are out of line. I threaten to go in there and borrow his paddle and sometimes the students comply and settle down, but other times they ignore my threats until I actually go in the other class to get the paddle. I've not yet used it, but maybe I should invest in one myself to use as a tool to control them?

[Poker]

[Morticae]

I work at an all boys middle school and I carry around a stick (all teachers do). I used to have problems, but no longer. Just took some time for them to realize I meant business. The last native teacher couldn't control the class so they were testing me for a couple months to see my resolve.

Follow through on your threats. If a student disrespects you, don't allow it or you will have a lot of difficulty later on. Today a student threw a paper airplane at me during class. I whacked him in the calf and he will feel the sting for a few days, but I can guarantee better behavior from him for a while (and his friends, who were instantly quiet). I then crumpled the paper airplane in front of the class and threw it in the garbage while giving everybody a nasty, angry look. I am pretty sure they understood my feelings.

That said, my students still love me... and I love them! We have a good relationship and I play a lot of games with them and give them a lot of candy (earned via participation/performance). But when they cross the line, you need to make a stand and be FIRM. My Co-teachers (females) really appreciate my ability to control a class. They say I do it with my "charisma" lol. Try not to be a mean SOB all the time though, only when called for. You basically need to have split personalities and the ability to change your personality on the spot.

[geosdsd]

Is it still legal for teachers to take physical disciplinary action in Korea? I thought a couple of months ago it was banned from public schools or something.

On a side note, I'm a 5ft 3in female asian hoping to teach in Korea next year. Will it be impossibly difficult for me to maintain control in the classroom?

[Skipperoo]

I'm also curious about people's disciplinary techniques - I'd love to hear people's solutions for those students who just won't shut up/sit down/whatever. Especially the ones that don't involve corporal punishment or the threat thereof.

[passport220]

[Morticae]

[kissdisap]