Korean Job Discussion Forums

angma · Joined: 02 Jul 2007

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dyc · Joined: 16 Dec 2010 Location: Vancouver

thegadfly · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

I would talk to your boss about your concerns -- if there is a chance that the girl IS being abused by someone in her family, you should do what you can about it.

That being said, what you describe here displays a HUGE amount of presumption on your part -- you are basing your entire allegation of abuse on a single mark, and from that you extrapolate years of physical abuse. If I were the parent of that child, I would be very offended by your gall and ego.

Even the title of your post is sensationalistic and misleading. It is clear to me that you are simply trolling...or else, you have a talent for expressing yourself in the least tactful, most offensive way possible in any situation.

angma · Joined: 02 Jul 2007

Removed

angma · Joined: 02 Jul 2007

Removed

angma · Joined: 02 Jul 2007

Removed

jrwhite82 · Joined: 22 May 2010

Document it. Report it to your supervisor. Document that you reported it. Move on.

thegadfly · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

angma · Joined: 02 Jul 2007

Removed

ontheway · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 3:33 am Post subject:

Go ahead and report it, verbally, to your boss, in a concerned but gentle way. Then, be prepared to let it go. Your boss can do nothing.

Harsh discipline and physical discipline is normal, accepted and not illegal in Korea. What you have described will not be taken seriously by any government authority.

I've had children come in with bruises all over their faces, arms, legs ... one boy in severe physical pain. Their fathers beat them for not studying or getting low scores. Often beatings from their mothers are worse - and you can do nothing except ...

You can be kind and gentle to these students. Show them that you care by helping them, and show them kindness, gentleness, love and concern. Let your example be a beacon of hope for your abused students and maybe they'll learn from you not to continue the cycle of violence.

calicoe · Joined: 23 Dec 2008 Location: South Korea

Yes, you can do something. Show them the love and understanding they should get, but don't get anywhere else. It will make a difference to them.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 4:31 am Post subject:

First of all, I sincerely hope that little kid is not getting abused at home.

Now on to your post OP:

First, you are assuming a lot based on what you overheard while she was talking with the other students. Now I have to ask: was this conversation among students in Korean? If so, are you fluent enough in Korean to be ABSOLUTELY sure of what you heard?

I doubt the kids were having this type of highly personal conversation in English in front of you....

Second, you are a teacher not a buddy or big brother to these kids. It is fine to be kind to them but you are not there to "earn their trust and affection". Thats a bit beyond the line. Getting them to trust you as a teacher is fine in a classroom setting however.

Third, why did you have to get her to play with you? Participate in class sure. Get along with others in class sure. Play with you? That seems a tad odd OP.

Finally, talk to your boss if you are worried. That will the START and END of your involvement with this. Personally I think you are jumping to a conclusion based very little concrete information. For all you know that kid got in a fight with her brother or sister and got hit accidentally on the lip. Communicating your concerns to your boss is fine however. Still, I would avoid passing judgement on the ability of your employer or her staff in "dealing with this issue".

As far as we know, you are an English Teacher not a Social Worker or a School Principal right? Report it and let the school handle it as it should, it is not your place to get involved any deeper than this.