Korean Job Discussion Forums

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Easiest. 8-12. Everything's a blast to them. They just want to get into harness and pull like sled dogs because it's fun to run. I love this age. They're fun, sincere, full of joy.

For hardest I'd say middle school, but not all the time. Just sometimes. Being really stubborn, tight lipped, not wanting to bother to put any effort and hang back until the bell rings. I've heard jeopardy works for them.

And I guess adults, too. UNLESS they are there with a goal. Like these two guys who are going on a business trip to Bolgona, Italy.

But then the adults, if they're hard cases, just quit. The middle schoolers can be difficult and keep on coming back because Mom says.

But heh, the day starts with the fun kids so no problem.

Prince Frog · Joined: 03 Oct 2005

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

I thought adults at first. Now I realise that they just want to talk. Depends on the level though. I taught a class of mothers. They sucked. Now I teach engineers. Their English is good. Plus I'm not under contract to teach adults. So I can take them or leave them. Rather keep them since one class, three times a week, is over time. I even teach one guy from immigration and when there are cancellations and he's the only student, we go out and play pool. For money. Last class with him and another student we played poker. Big Old Two. A Taiwanese/Chinese game that I had to teach them. For money. Great class.

I've never taught high school age. So, to me, middle school is the most difficult. Kindergarten would be no treat either. I don't teach them. Only taught it in Taiwan. That's a big headache. No need to teach that here though.

Elementary is the best. Middle school students are full of complainers and they speak too much Korean. You can teach them by the book, but when they speak it's a nightmare at times. Even the best students.

Ekuboko · Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Location: ex-Gyeonggi

Ekuboko · Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Location: ex-Gyeonggi

Second grade middle schoolers are the worst, 'cos they're going through puberty and are stuck between first and third graders in the school... so they don't really don't where they're going - by this, I mean the first graders are all cute and eager and are in a new school, etc; and the third graders are getting geared up for high school, so they've got something to focus on. Seconds' behaviour is all over the place and the girls are starting to get catty and cliquey, grrrrrrr!!

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

Snowkr · Joined: 03 Jun 2005

Ya-ta boy

What in the world is "hari kari"?

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

I teach grade 5 elementary school and they're a piece of cake. I teach the grade 2's also...6 classes with 36 grade 2's each. About half have already had at least a year or maybe more of English and the other half are getting there very first introduction to the language. It's been incredibly difficult as far as planning goes and as far as some activities go. Other teachers say "Oh, I'm so sorry for you" but they're so enthusiastic and they behave so well that classes are actually very enjoyable and very easy.

I've done lots of part time gigs with Middle School students and have always found them to be very fun and pretty easy but you really gotta coax some of them to warm to you.

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

I teach 2-8 grades in a hagwon, and I have found there are classes I like and dont like at each level. One of my favorite classes are grade 6, but so is one of my least favoorite, and thats almost the same in all grades. I have one horrible middle school class (no respect and no work done), one noisy class (some do the work and the others are just really vocal) and one really good class that jokes with me and does the work. I have 2 2nd grade classes - one is a nightmare and the other are as smart as 4th graders.

I guess around 5-6th grade, the students have developed a bit of an attitude.... they're good one day and rude little beasts the next.

manlyboy · Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2005 7:51 pm Post subject:

I look forward to seeing my 5th graders every day. The time flies and it doesn't feel like "work" at all. The 6th graders however, are apparently the worst the teachers at my school have ever seen. Seriously, two of those classes even their homeroom teacher can't control them, and they aren't fresh-out-of-teacher-college noobs either. They're experienced educators. I've given up giving 6th grade any leeway whatsoever. Unless I stand over and menace the crap out of them, the class instantly descends into mayhem.
The teachers here are very, very pissed at more than a few parents who aren't backing them up at all.