Korean Job Discussion Forums

[beekeeper3000]

I have been asked to "prepare" one of my students' older sisters for her year in America. She will be attending a Catholic school - eigth grade. I have asked several times, but cannot garner the following: if it is an all-girls school, where the school is, if the school has a website, or pretty much anything beyond what I have just told you.

I remember middle school as the big shift from being in one classroom all day to using lockers and moving from class to class. I also remember having to "try out" for sports instead of just being on the team of my choosing.

I attended public schools growing up and am at a bit of a loss here. She is a Buddhist, but I have been assured this will not cause a problem in her adjustment to American life.

So any ideas about WHAT to talk about or any distinct difference you might recall between Catholic and public schools would be great!

Thanks,
Z

[wwidgirl]

Hmm... well in Canada, the difference between Catholic and public schools are minimal.

Uniform will probably have to be worn, but the girl will be used to that.

She'll probably be surprised by the amount of student participation there is in class. I've been told that in Korean schools, students are just expected to absorb information, not ask questions and such.

I would encourage her to get involved as possible. Do you know how good her English is? Because if she isn't very good at English, she may have a hard time making friends....

Teach her about cultural things - like where to tip, how to tip, about TAXES, about being allowed to be friends with boys, different clothing styles, different transportation systems...... etc.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I think the most important things to teacher are about the little cultural things that Koreans do that would get her noticed for the wrong reasons:

a) don't slurp your noodles or soup.

b) if you bump into someone, say "Excuse me".

c) don't laugh when you see someone make a mistake in class.

d) be careful of other people's physical space--don't stand too close or put your hands on other people.

e) don't tell people to call you Ms. Kim. It's not friendly.

f) don't call the teacher "Teacher". Learn their names and use them.

g) you are going in order to learn English, not so much for the academic subjects. Don't be a grind. Join a couple of clubs or teams where you can make friends and speak English.

[The evil penguin]

Don't point and stare in astonishment at all the white people. And try not to call them "waegookins"

[antoniothegreat]

i think you need to definitely prepare her for the attention she will get from boys. how they will ask her out, try to kiss her, and how openly sex and such is discussed. that could be quite shocking.

[peppermint]

Kids here go through puberty same as in the west. Just yesterday one of my students came to me pouting because I didn't seat her next to the boy she has a crush on. Very typical 6th grade behaviour, don't you think?

[YoungLi]

I don't know how you could do a good job of preparing this student unless you confirm exactly what school and where it is located. There are vast differences/cultures throughout the USA from state to state. Furthermore, Catholic schools cannot be generalized very easily. Some Catholic schools will expect her to participate in all religious services. Is this a boarding school? If it is, you can be fairly certain the student will be required to participate in religious services and be around nuns and a priest on a daily basis. There CAN be huge differences between a private Catholic school and a public school.... and I mean HUGE HUGE HUGE differences. Quite a few Catholic schools use teachers without a teaching certificate or a Master's degree. Catholic schools in general have a reputation for piling on very difficult homework and discipline for poor performance or bad behavior. If this student is Buddhist

[beekeeper3000]

So after meeting with her I've learned some new info.

1) She will be staying with a host family, although it's unknown if that host family will have any children of their own, what race they are, or where they live.

2) The school she is going to has not been decided upon. I'm not sure if she is on some kind of waiting list or what.

3) Her English is good, but her spoken English needs improvement. She is interested in learning a LOT of vocabulary. Her reading is perfect.

Since I am a 26m and she is a 14f, I'm still a little hesitant to explain things like boys wanting to kiss her. I switched schools in eighth grade and all I wanted to do was make friends. Perhaps she is going to Catholic school to avoid sex education. Who knows. She also doesn't know if it will be all girls or coed.

That being said, can anyone recommend a decent text to read over the next 7 classes I have with her? I am thinking about Catcher in the Rye because of it's obvious connection to youth and self-discovery. But to be honest I haven't read it in almost 10 years. I believe there are some swear words and a few racist comments. I will of course review this with my director, but anything else I'm forgetting?

Thanks again for all your help everyone!

[Wangja]

Will she take her gun with her? Or will she buy it when she gets there?

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Wangja]

Fag, don't forget the word fag.

Actually, we had fags in my day, but they have passed on. Ah, nostalgia, nostalgia.

[Wangja]

[Wrench]

Just tell her she will be suffering from culture shock.

Oh and don't start talking to a random Asian on the street in Korean because most likely they will not speak Korean.

[hypnotist]

[Wangja]