Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CustomX]

i have a kid in one of my classes who has told me that he hates me and coming to my class. i am not the only teacher he has said this to though. sometimes i feel like strangling him, but of course i would never do anything physical like that. how could i possibly make the class any better, or get him to like the class if he hates me, the other teachers and learning English?

[the_beaver]

[kermo]

My first instinct was to tell you to laugh. If a kid told me that, I think I would have to giggle.

Then I have to put myself in his place, and imagine what it's like to be shuttled from class to class, having knowledge crammed down my throat, probably feeling exhausted and fed up.

Next I would ask myself if I was being a good teacher; giving the kids plenty of opportunities to interact with the material in interesting ways, setting achievable goals.

Finally, make sure you offer some kind of incentive. Maybe it's verbal affirmation, candy, games, or toys... it's cheap and pays off big.

Good luck!

[plokiju]

He probably just hates being forced to go to another school. I'm assuming you teach at a hagwon. I'm sure it's not personal. You've probably had classes that you hated going to regardless of who was teaching or how the material was taught. Why make a big to-do over one student whose views won't ever change?

[denverdeath]

I've had the same from enough students in this country. They probably don't really hate you, they just learned a new vocabulary item(probably from their father/mother) and are trying to become more comfortable with it. Anyway, I usually ask, "Why do you hate me? I don't hate you." If they don't come around a bit, I say *beep* 'em too. I learned a long time ago that you can't please 100% of the people 100% of the time, here or back home. I really wouldn't give him any special treatment if he's a complete cock. I have a Monday morning class that's a bit of a headache. Four of the girls are snotty little princesses who never listen to me and always talk in Korean. My headache subsided about two months ago when I started ignoring them. At least the other six listen and are learning and I don't feel guilty in the least about the four problem kids as I wasted three months beating my head against the wall for them. And, you know what the strange thing is? Even though they're still yaking in Korean for the whole class, the four "bad" girls actually talk with me for five or ten minutes after the class is finished . They always ask, "Why don't you talk with us?" Duh?!?

[OiGirl]

"Oh, well, I'm sorry to hear that. I love you and will do my best to help you."

Why do you care what this kid says? As a mature adult, it really shouldn't affect your behavior towards him.

[Captain Corea]

Kid: I hate you!!

Me: I love you too!!!

Some of those that heted me the most turned out to be my best/favorite students later.

[CustomX]

i guess part of me wants to be liked by the student, but i realize that you can't please everyone. the kid is by far the worst student i have, i dread going to the class with him. i guess ill just say **** it and not worry about what he thinks

[inkoreaforgood]

[deessell]

Teach him some new verbs.

[hari seldon]

Don't take it personally.

[Grotto]

Beat him with a shovel and hide the body in a kimchi jar

[captain kirk]

If the kid cared to elaborate, but he doesn't. He just says, 'I hate you'. If he said 'I hate you because you're a white, flunky robot who doesn't iron his clothes, has bad breath, and are obviously suffering from a poor diet, too much beer, and not enough ambition with the worst thing being you don't care' then I'd buy him some gum.

[margaret]

I would ask why. For one thing, I'd want to know if he had a reason, for another, it might open communication.
I have one 13 year old boy who always acted angry. I asked him, on a speaking test, "What do you think about studying English?"
He said he thought it was disgusting and that he wanted to study Korean, didn't like the U. S. and didn't think he should have to study English. I expressed concern and said I didn't think he should have to study it either. I asked him if his parents knew he didn't want to study English. He said no and hasn't seemed angry since.
Margaret

[diablo3]

laugh in his face.
I would.