Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dbee]

So I was doing a lesson on friendship the other day for a bright class of six older middle school students. One of the boys just sat there and did nothing for most of the class.

This kid is really bright, apparently he sits at home playing computer games all day and then looks over a page or two of vocab words for a few minutes and gets close to 100% in his tests. I think he may have a photographic memory or something close.

Anyway I ask him to stay after class and I quiz him as to why he didn't say anything in the class. He says that he has nothing to say about friendship because he doesn't have any friends, and therefore isn't informed. He then goes on to tell me that he can't fit in with his classmates and they often ignore him.

I know that it can be difficult to fit in as a kid in school, but I'm not too sure what I can say that would make him feel any better. Any suggestions ?? The best I could come up with is to try to find kids that like to do the things he likes, and that he should try to find a girlfriend. Both suggestions tanked ...

[YoungLi]

Have you ever thought about being a friend to that boy? Perhaps a big brother/big sister?

He likes computers. Maybe he could teach you some computer games from a distance.... use yahoo messenger etc. That's just a suggestion.

[Hater Depot]

YoungLi is right on. I would ask him to help you set up some Korean programs on your computer, like BuddyBuddy (and then you can chat with him on it later), and about good Korean games (he could help you get set up with Crazy Arcade or Kart Rider). I wouldn't tell him he needs to get a girlfriend -- it could be hurtful to hear that, besides he's probably heard it already.

[babtangee]

He doesn't need friends. He has his computer.

[ilovebdt]

That's sad. I have had kids like that before in my classes. I think befriending him would be a good idea and then hopefully the other students will talk to him too.