Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nicholas.schleicher]

If you were to have 3 class ground rules for elementary level classes, what would they be?

I plan to post these in my classroom when I begin my contract and was hoping for some good input from other teachers.

[koreatimes]

I would just focus on them being quiet. After you meet the students, ground rules can be established.

This is a different job than back home. Back home, you don't have communication problems. You speak the same language. It's easier to identify with the students. Here, it's completely different. After a few weeks of teaching, you will get an idea of the personalities of the students, and then you can determine what they should and shouldn't do in class.

Instead of getting out some ESL 10 commandments, do it on a case by case basis. Reinforce the rules when the students disobey.

The schools usually have a co-teacher. They either work with you in the classroom or they teach their own classes. If problems come up, it is more effective to have them discipline than doing it yourself.

Your focus should be more on teaching than policing.

[thegadfly]

Treat yourself with respect.

Treat others with respect.

When you make a mistake, fix it.

(Pretty much my rules of life, as well as my rules in the classroom.)

[marsavalanche]

[nero]

1. No Korean.
2. No cellphones (unless you ask me if you can use it)
3. No speaking when another person is speaking.

All my behaviour problems stem from students speaking Korean. Enforce the rules and you will be fine!

[thegadfly]

[marsavalanche]

[jrwhite82]

Come prepared.

Listen during directions.

Be nice.

[thegadfly]

Mars,

You find the concept that learning can be an enjoyable experience to be laughable? Wow -- sorry, man. You are too far gone to save. How did you ever learn ANYTHING if you found the experience so painful as to require constant injections of hangman and bingo as you grew up?

[nicholas.schleicher]

I'm not asking for strict rules, but rather, fair and easy rules that will allow the class to function in an optimal manner. I have already spent a year teaching in Korea and looking back, think that making a few small, but important things clear from the get-go could make things a bit easier for the elementary level classes.

I think the advice of only posting them for the first few weeks is a good suggestion, though.

[isitts]

[furtakk]

Speak English.
Listen.
Be nice.

I teach kinder though.

[Bruce W Sims]

Though I teach at a Community College, there are clearly times when I feel like its a Kindergarten. That said I have three rules.

a.) We are all in this together; help each other grow.

b.) "The Golden Rule"

c.) Enjoy what you are doing.

BTW: Is anyone familiar with "Positive Peer Culture" (see: William C. Wasmund; 1979). I have often thought that given the nature of Korean culture Wasmund's approach to group management would have definite benefits. Just a thought.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[schwa]

Heres what I insist on from my middle school students:

Raise your hand & wait to be acknowledged before speaking.
Listen when others speak.

Everything else flows from that. I dont even state these as rules as they seem to be part of the accepted classroom culture already.

[PastorYoon]

I went through this with my middle-school class today.

1. No screaming
2. No talking while another person is talking
3.