Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Julius]

I see a lot of people criticising the OP and proclaiming what perfect teachers they are.


In reality what he's going through is entirely normal given the circumstances.


You can't throw a totally inexperienced 20-something into a class where the odds are heavily stacked against him...and expect him to perform like a world class expert.

The problem is with the system. Korea needs to start hiring people based on experience and qualifications. They also need to fix their whole approach to esl.

[Stan Rogers]

[transmogrifier]

[rollo]

h
Been in these situations in hagwons. It is tough. But it not racism. first learn some Korean. Build relationships witath Korean teachers. Try a system of rewards. educational games. DO NOT LOSE YOUR TEMPER!!!

It gets better. The kids are not the enemy they do not hate you. Just really burned out children reacting to the relentless pressure of the Korean system of education.

Building relationships with the Korean teachers is so important. the children notice these things. . ASK THEM FOR HELP!!!

Dress well!! Look professional. This is very important. Youl be treated with more respect!!

[PatrickGHBusan]

No one claimed they were a perfect teacher. Most people pointed to the likely source of the issue: problems with class management skills and setting clear boundaries for the students.

This is something all teachers face initially and some have more trouble than others getting this under control.

Also, while the system in Korea needs improvements, that does nothing to help the OP at all or anyone in his situation....


Bascially OP: read up on classroom management and lesson planning. Set some clear ground rules in your class and stick to them. This may be tough at first but will pay off soon.

[Underwaterbob]

[Julius]

[Steelrails]

[Hokie21]

This has happened to most of (if not all of us here.) I don't think it's so much racism as a lack of accountability from the kids. These kids know that for the most part we can't really punish them and that most of us can't speak Korean so there is no chance of us calling their parents to get them in trouble.

I worked at a hagwon and my first day of class I had a very large 5th grade boy stand up on his desk and tell me, "You can't tell us to speak English, we're in Korea! You should have to speak Korean!" The other kids thought it was the funniest thing in the world which in turn would encourage him to see how far he could push it. Eventually (with the backing of my head teacher) I took the Army boot camp routine, every time this kid caused trouble, 3 other students would get a demerit. Within 3 days the entire class had turned on him.

The kid still caused trouble even after I had the Korean teachers speak with his parents but one day he threatened violence against me and had to be restrained and with that he was thrown out of the academy. I was told later he was the first student they had ever done that too.

Basically what I'm getting at is that it's not racism, it's just exploiting the lack of power we have as foreign teachers.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Steelrails]

This discussion is pointless. The OP effectively ruled out any fault of his own as a potential explanation for the situation, and is thus incapable of dealing with the problem. Until he solves the fact that he is constitutionally incapable of accepting blame and responsibility, nothing will change.