Korean Job Discussion Forums

[inkorea]

Here is an issue I want to raise; anyone got cats in their English classes?
What I mean is students that don't talk or hardly talk at all. When you ask them a question or talk to them they don't say anything but look at you kind of like the manner of a cat. They seem to be ultra shy.
Anyone else got cats in their classes?
MEOW

[SweetBear]

Oh good lord yes. At first I was understanding, after a while of trying to coax anything out of them, I just found it infuriating. Now it's up to them, stare, glare, pout, get out, I don't care. I'm too busy focusing on students who aren't into playing mind games.

[schwa]

Some kids are just busy absorbing (its their learning style) & blossom later. One kid I taught was useless in class but I met him again recently & he was damn near fluent (no exaggeration) & very articulate over beers in the pub. Top of his highschool but you'd never have guessed it when he was a pimply & tongue-tied teen in class. A little kind encouragement (& forebearance) can have a real impact.

[Homer]

I agree schwa, different learning styles indeed.

Also to note, teaching highly motivated students is easy, its reaching the more difficult ones that denotes a dedicated teacher.

[Grotto]

I have one little girl who is ultra quiet. She is in a class where she is 2-3 years younger than everyone else. The older kids pick on her(NOT when I am around though).

She is a super likable kid, smart, funny but getting her to speak was like trying to make snowballs in July...freakishly hard. I just kept after her...Julie I cant hear you...July what did you say? Julie what do you think.

She is still very quiet but she is slowly becoming more vocal.


Never give up Never surrender

[hellofaniceguy]

I feel like a dentist; trying to pull teeth is equal to getting students to talk!

[CurlyQ]

[spliff]

I find that giving the "cats" a good licking prevalently adduces some noticeable sensations!

[SweetBear]

[Homer]

Sweetbear and CurlyQ,

I have to disagree.
Of course some hakwons do not offer conditions that are not conducive to learning. Then again many do.

One thing remains: what the students learn, ultimately is mostly the responsability of the teacher.
There are many ways to teach and using your "bad hakwon" as a excuse not too is sad.

[PatrickSiheung]

I have had many students like that. The best thing to do is to just give them a break and be kind to them. Keep at them if you must, but do so in a fun way so that they don't end up hating you.

I remember one student in particular who hated to speak. She wouldn't answer any of my questions. She just sat there staring at the desk. So I just backed off for a while. I would check her work and write little smiley faces next to my comments; I would smile everytime we made eye contact; but other than that, I respected her wish to not be in the spotlight. It didn't take long before she was reading aloud and answering questions like the rest of them. Just took her more time to warm up to me and the rest of the class.

As a teacher, especially with young ones, you have a unique responsibility as you are affecting lives. You can nag them and belittle their shyness, or you can create a great experience that will stay with them forever. Your choice.

The best way to teach by the way is through your actions, not words. Kids will rarely remember what you say to them but they will always remember the way you make them feel.

[SweetBear]

[Homer]

Sweetbear,

I see your point.

But those marginal kids are the ones who need teachers and extra attention the most.

To each his own then...

[PatrickSiheung]

I have yet to meet a kid that plays "mind games." Did it ever occur to you that some kids are shy or don't like to speak out in front of others? It doesn't mean they're stupid; it doesn't mean they are deliberately disobeying you... they're just not very outspoken. You may be surprised to know many adults are the same.

You should get off your power trip and cut these kids some slack. Do you feel mighty and important when you write certain kids off or intimidate them? No wonder they won't talk to you.

[SweetBear]

BTW Homer I just found some interesting reading on the Job information journal, entitled: Korean kids, what's the verdict on them? If you have a moment please read it as I'd be interested to here your opinion on what this guy has to say. ( It's a complaint)

Thanks,
Sb