Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Dodge7]

Do you call them out on it every time or do you let it pass.

I sometimes feel like an egotistical, power-hungry tool for doing it, but I feel the kids should be using choen-dae-mal (using "yo" at the end of sentences) when talking to me---even though I'm foreigner. Because when the same kid that used banmal to me goes and talks to the Korean teacher 1 minute later, he/she uses choen-dae-mal....WTH? Feels like a slap in the face!

How do you approach this? Even though it isn't in our culture per se, do you still call them out on it ALL THE TIME?

[TheUrbanMyth]

[cheolsu]

It's not even remotely acceptable. It's equivalent to having kids swear at you. The first time it happens in a class, I call the kid out on it in Korean and give him a chewing-out. It's usually the last time. After that, every time it happens, they can clean the room.

There are three reasons it happens:

1) They think you don't understand and they're having some fun at your expense. I once had a kid call out "빡빡이 선생님 안녕!" (Hey Baldo!) from the far end of a classroom as I walked by. I pulled him out of the class and asked him what the hell he thought was doing. He apologized and he has been a great student ever since.

2) Sometimes it's awkward to switch between languages. When my boss speaks to me in Korean, sometimes I'll just respond with just an answer ("4,500원" instead of "4,500원요"), because I think in English when I speak to her.

3) As well, even though you can understand them, students are not always talking to you, but to no one in particular or to their peers.

I've found, for whatever reason, that it's worse with younger students than older ones. At my elementary school, I generally find that manners and discipline in general improves from grades 1 to 6, at least with English teachers.

[T-J]

Depends on the situation and the context. In reported speach the student teacher relationship can accommodate it. In certain situations it can be acceptable again because of the student teacher relationship. For example 선생님 민수 나 때렸어.�Perfectly acceptable. If the absence of a 요 ending is the only thing that is bothering you and I don't know that it is because you offered no specific examples I'd say that you are over sensitive and under educated.

[Fat_Elvis]

Shouldn't they be speaking English to you? Why worry about what they say in Korean, except to think how you can get them to say it in English?

[Dodge7]

[edwardcatflap]

[schwa]

Never accept annyeong as a greeting from a student. Thats the first place they'll test your tolerance/gullibility. But correcting them with humor rather than anger is probably most effective in the long run.

Also, younger elementary students are still learning the nuances of addressing their Korean elders. Cut them some slack.

[northway]

It's generally not an issue, but I call them on it when it is.

[Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida]

Can't say I was ever bothered since I'm not Korean

[Chet Wautlands]

T-J and Cheolsu have given solid responses.

To those who think you should ignore it and focus on making children speak English, you may be overlooking the importance language levels have in Korean culture.

If students are speaking banmal (반말) to you, it shows that they either do not respect you or are testing you. It is NOT a sign of familiarity or friendship. If a student doesn't respect you, good luck teaching them anything.

[T-J]

[SeoulNate]

[cdninkorea]

Several years ago (2006), when I was new to Korea and spoke only a few words of the language, students in the elementary school I worked at would sometimes greet me with a (friendly-sounding) "안영 (my name) teacher!"

I'd ask my main co-teacher if this was rude of the student, but he always said it wasn't. I know better now, but does anyone have a theory as to why he said it was okay? It still puzzles me when I think about it.

[The Floating World]