Korean Job Discussion Forums

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

Well, sounds like everyone has been in a similar situation.....

Im going to approach their teacher about some of the ideas. I am a little sceptical though, becasue in the past Ive been told not to keep them late because some have other lessons afterwards. I had a problem with students not doing their homework (their homework was simply to finish the lesson if they didnt finish in class), but I was told simply not to give them homework.

They are sensitive dont you know. You must be sensitive with them.

Now Im worried about the next book we are to use. The one they have now is really easy - trace and copy kind of exercises and the instructions are all in Korean, and for dictation, they are allowed to find the answer in the text and copy it... Im actually not required to do much teaching, except going over the text. Its difficult enough with this book, but the next one involves a lot of interaction, questions and answers, and actual teaching (I use it with other classes). My first plan is to try and change the text book, but I fear theyve already been ordered!

Aside from this one problem, my job, my boss and the Korean teachers have been awesome. Im not prepared to resign over one class, or start making demands. But thank you for all the advice and input.

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 05 May 2005

It sounds to me that the class has it made. They have so soundly sissified their teachers, and won jon that they just do what they want. Giving them an easy book is a bad mistake. It sends the statement that they are not expected to do as much as the others.

If you don't challenge kids to achieve then they won't achieve. I say hit them with a harder text book. Then hit them with group consquences. If one screws up, they all get it. Those that start learning to deal with it get rewarded at the end of each class.

Start simple go for basics like the SSSW principle. Shut up sit down start writing methods of class room handling. These kids have been allowed to slide into a pathetic mess, and only a good boot to the bottom is going to shake them out.

Above all be polite, be professional, and be a teacher. Don't be their homie, and don't even be nice to them. Make it very black and white that they are being rewarded for good behaviors, bad behaviors are not getting anything.

Oh wait... the Management isn't helping?

jesus... never mind.

bosintang · Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 6:55 am Post subject:

kermo · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 5:08 am Post subject:

The easy book does sound like a dreadful idea.

Here are a couple options that could be effective:

The Carrot: When you get a moment of good listening, when the class is cooperating for 3 consecutive seconds, etc., draw a bit of a picture on the board. I sometimes use a ladybug because it's simple, and Korean kids are fascinated with whatever I draw on the board. When the picture is complete, the kids get a reward. Candy is cheap. It's not the prize-- it's the honour that is of importance to the kids.

The Stick: If there are a couple kids actually doing the work, then make it worthwhile. Take a huge piece of paper and write their names, along with some marks for quizzes or homework. Most kids wouldn't be able to stand looking at their names with a zero alongside them, especially if a few are making an effort and getting decent marks.

I know it's evil to exploit shame and greed, but this hagwon is giving you lemons. Make a Long Island Ice Tea.

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

Well, I had my class tonight.....

And the idea about letting them leave early or maling them stay late worked a charm!!

I discussed it with the K teachers and they backed me up! They said one of the student HAD to leave on time, but the rest were at my mercy! So one of the teachers came in and explained the rules and the class was super quiet and very well behaved. The excpetion was that 5 girls were late (they are all friends and convieniently arrived together), and 2 boys decided they were not doing any work. So at the end, the good students were allowed to leave early, and all the others had to stay until the boys had finished.

The K teachers were really supportive, and happy that I had made this change. They know how hard this class has been, and I think they had been feeling guilty about it and perhaps responsible for the kids actions, so they were happy to hear it all worked out.Unfortunately, the next text books have already been ordered, arrived and distriubuted to the students, so Ill just have to stick that one out. Hopefully the discipline will work out, and that will halve the problem with the next book....?

So thank you everyone who gave suggestions.... will keep you posted on this method, and will start recommending it to others!!

kermo · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 8:27 am Post subject:

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Well done! A hell of a lot better than the worst class I had, where the KT's support consisted of 'I don't know what to do ... I can't control them myself'.

flashcard · Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Location: home

Many of us have had classes like yours. of course we all have our own ways of dealing with them. first thing i do is try to remember that these disruptive kids are the ones keeping the hagwon afloat and therefore paying my salary. if every hagwon dropped every uninterested kid, there would be a mass exodus from itaewon as teachers left for home.

Easier said than done? maybe so.

Take in some dialogues. printed. hand them out and get 2 kids at a time to come in front of the class and read the dialogues. thats it. this gets them talking at least. gives you something to focus on. correct their mistakes. you are teaching. you could even give a little prize (like chocolate) to the best readers. then class is over. move on.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004