Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Zoot]

Hi all,

I wonder if anyone has had experience with this situation. One of the children in my class is a bit of a social outcast it seems. I suppose it doesn't help that he has a very high, nasal voice that is really grating on the ears, and that he is extremely over-eager and wants to talk ALL THE TIME. These things are easily controllable. However, all the other kids make fun of him. They all groan when I ask him to read. And when he does read, they all make faces or laugh or say something derogatory in korean. Even the good kids in my class are starting to do it.

I feel so horrible. I didn't have the best elementary school experience myself, and seeing this kid be the brunt of abuse tears at my heart.

On the one hand, I want to scream at these kids to stop what they are doing. But on the other hand, I don't want to "play favorites" and be too protective of this one student. I know we're not supposed to get emotionally involved with these kids, but I can't help but wonder if I should do anything. I'd appreciate any advice.

Thanks,

-Z

[jaganath69]

Zero tollerance, bullying is something that can scar a kid for life. Find the kid who leads this and make an example of the little *beep*. The others will soon see what happens as a result and fall into line.

[bignate]

You have run into the typical "W.a.n.k.t.a" (I can't believe the swear filter beeps Wankta... )syndrome, that is the tendancy for all the kids to pick on one individual, because in short, it is better (in their eyes) for one child to suffer the animosity of the entire class. It is a horrible thing to see - the trick for you is to persuade the kids to see that they are indeed hurting someone, and as Jaga points out, it could be permanent, and can often lead to real problems later on.

The fact is, it will take more than just making an example out of the ringleaders, because in the end, they are just going to turn it around on the bullied child in the end, later on.

Have you developed a set of class rules with the children, if they are old enough have them develop their own, if not, think of some that will help to show the children what they are doing is wrong and hurtful. Make the rules so that there are definite consequences and rewards for either following or not following the rules. Make one that is pertinent to bullying.... remember it is your classroom and it is up to you...

At the end of the class, even though I know that it is sometimes hectic, take time to praise anyone who was really following the rules, perhaps with some sort of reward - even though hagwons usually reward only academic achievement, if you reward good behaviour, it should also increase.

How old and at what level are the children - if they are of a high enough level, a unit could be developed using small groups that encorporates writing a short story about bullying, and developing these into skits where the children can see the effects of bullying and how they should feel about it.

If they are lower, perhaps you could have a brainstorm period about "feelings" and how feelings are hurt... focus on reading a book that has a character is subjected to bullying. Always remember that you need to show the children, reiterate, then conclude, they won't get it the first time, it takes time and reaffirmation.

For really low levels (or any level) if you can get them to understand what bullying is, have them develop posters that are anti-bullying

The point is though you may feel that you are playing favourites, the object is to show the kids that regardless of what they are used to, they are hurting someone - that they are doing something that is wrong.

You are right to be concerned and worried about this, and it shows that you are more of a professional than most, there are lots of resources on the net that can help as well, just search for them.

Cheers...

[vdowd]

I will share something that has mostly worked for me. I have a no tolerance rule for words or behaviors that make any child cry in my classroom.

If a child is reading or speaking and someone or many someones make comments, etc that make the child cry, then the whole class is punished. I say - It is not OK for a student to cry in my class. You have made A cry. You are all a class, you must help A and all students. Then in class punishment can be hands on heads and quiet for 2 minutes or write lines 5 times saying something positive like. I will have good manners and be kind/help to my classmates. This also gives me time to deal with the upset student.

Even worse, if we are playing a game (ex. team tic tac toe to review vocabulary, spelling, sentences) and someone makes a student cry by words or actions because they are not as able, I say the same thing and then annouce Game Over, back to Work. Next time be helpful to others.

It takes a few times but they catch on fast and I often catch them being helpful and comment on this. It has turned many classes around and students become caring, helpful to others. In fact they rush to help and I have to remind them to let A try to do it by themselves first.





The

[mindmetoo]

I had a class where the class nerd was made fun of. I started calling him "John-chingu" in class. When I saw him in the hall I'd say a big friendly hello to him and only him. The other kids eventually stopped making fun of him. My theory is if you punish the kids for picking on the nerd, they'll only punish him for it behind your back.