Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jajdude]

"Sean" is a student of mine. I had taught him for a while in a class of 5 or 6 students, and thought he was poor at English. He is in grade 5 or 6. He rarely ever said anything and didn't like to read aloud, and didn't seem to understand the material much. At least on the "reading" tests he didn't do so great.

For a while the class changed. Then for a while I taught Sean one on one. Then I realized he could speak English not bad. His reading isn't great, his writing is poor, but he can actually communicate better than most students his age and older. I found out he had spent 2 years in Toronto in grade 2-3. He has an older sister at the academy too. For a month or two she didn't say a word. Now she won't shut up. But she can actually communicate in English, better than most students there.

Anyway now Sean is back in a class with 2 or 3 older kids. He has clammed up again. His speaking won't improve much because he is the youngest and the others don't like to be shown up. Kids still get ostracized in Korea for speaking English well or properly. The notebooks, pencil cases and t-shirts all reflect this. " I am happy you be my exciting friend since stroy i like that" is normal expression on t-shirts, pencil cases and notebooks. Because really there is so much conformity and apparently such a need to conform, that the one who does know is not accepted.

A kid I taught in the past. A nice young kid in grade 2 or 3 told me nobody liked him because he had spent a year in Boston, and was fluent in English. He was also fluent in Korean. No matter. They hated when he knew all the answers. So he was cut off for being smart or knowledgeable.

Yikes. Just another story of difficulty for Korea in its attempts to learn some English.

[discostar23]

I have a kid in my kindergaten class named Billy. Billy is an impossible student. He has told his mom he is nervous around the english teachers because he can't understand us. Orginally he was in the other teachers class but since he kept getting in fights with the students they have bumped him up to my class. All Billy will do is say "teacher water please" or "teacher bathroom please" this is every five to ten minutes. When he is not saying this he is rolling around on the floor kicking the other students. All the students hate him and are constantly fighting with him. I am really at my wits end with him because whenever i tell him to do anything he just says "No

So yesterday one of the teachers came to me and said that Billy's mom is worried that I don't show him enough 'love' so this is why Billy won't learn english. Well its pretty hard ot show a kid 'love' when all he does is hit and punch you and the other kids. I am sooo annyed at the situation that I am thinking of quitting because they don't seem to realize how bad he is. Anothe thing is he is good in all the korean teachers classes but a total jerk in mine. ARGH!!!!

[sadsac]

Jajdude, you are in an impossible situation. If Sean were in a class where the students were the same age the problem would not be as demanding. The fact that he is with older students means society is dictating how he must act and rather than be bullied by the older students, he chooses silence. See if you can get 10 minutes a day one on one with him and offer encouragement that way.

Discostar23, ask the director to invite his mum to the kindergarten to see how Billy acts in your class, have them observe your class from outside the classroom. This may take the focus off you not being a loving and caring teacher. It sucks I know, but that is the serious downside of kindergartens. Best of luck to you both.

[jajdude]

Well for kids it is very important to be accepted. More important I guess than speaking English? These other boys aren't Sean's friends. They are older. If you are a year older than me in school, as Koreans we are not friends, right? Or maybe Sean just feels shy in groups, awkward speaking English in front of other (older) Koreans. He would benefit so much from one-on-one tutoring focusing on speaking. Perhaps most kids would. But that can be expensive.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[jazblanc77]

TheUrbanMyth, Kudos! Bold observation!

[ajuma]

Discostar: Try holding this kid on your lap while doing things. It sounds like he's got ADD. He doesn't know how to control his impulses. Holding him and firm body contact will help. He may not learn much English, but he'll be less of a distraction to the other students. Give him LOTS of praise, even for the smallest thing (Billy! You sat in your chair for 1 minute! Good job!!!) Always keep him in your "awareness" and head him off (distract him) if he's heading for trouble.

Some of my favorite students were ADD...they're a challenge, but you CAN make a difference!

[jajdude]

Sorry I do not see the irony....

He learned to speak some English mainly due to two years in Toronto I think.

He may not improve as much as he otherwise would if he weren't inhibited by the other (older) students.