Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mswiftansan]

I work in a public school and up until yesterday I had a co-teacher. Due to unforseen circumstances, she had to leave for the rest of this year and the summer. I am in my 10th month of the contract and have never taught on my own. I don't want to, and I refuse.
The main reason is that the children have little or no respect for me and I have no way of punishing them apart from giving them lines.
The solution is that I am showing them a movie.
Easy right? Unfortunately even this is turning into a circus. They run and scream into the class room and then yell at me "Hurry up teacha!" "This movie no teacha!" "Harry Potta teacha!" To which I reply, "Sorry guys, it's Garfield!" (with big smile, trying not to show annoyance). Then they proceed to talk throughout the movie and try to go to the bathroom 6 at a time (of course I say no and tell them one at a time).
Even writing this, it sounds like a pretty pathetic thing for me to get worked up about, but the problem is, I am.
So, here's the question: How do you cope with days when you want to strangle them? Any special breathing exercises, or imagery exercises?
Please help me...I feel like I'm going insane!

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Do you teach elementary school? I teach middle and high school (some solo, some with a co-teacher - unless they can't make it) and I can't imagine that happening. Take control. With the classes that I do have a co-teacher I usually have them in their desks with their books having bowed and gone through the greeting before the co-teacher arrives.

[Lizara]

38 days left... 37 days left... 36 days left...

If my kids were behaving like that I wouldn't be showing them any movies; they'd be doing writing exercises all class every class until they shaped up or until my contract was up, whichever came first. I'm not seriously suggesting you do that, though.

Aren't you required to have a coteacher all the time at a public school anyway? I know nothing about this, being a hagwon monkey and all, but I think in that situation, in all seriousness, I'd probably be going to the administration and refusing to teach until they got me another coteacher.

[poof]

I think, quite frankly, that you've got to pull your socks up and do some teaching/class management. You only have 2 months to go. If you're unable to handle a class by yourself at this stage, then how are you going to be ever to be able to apply for another teaching post again? See it as your opportunity to learn how to manage kids.

[mswiftansan]

Ya Bum Suk:

I would love to take control. I don't know how. I will admit fully that I am like a deer caught in the headlights with these guys. My co-teacher always delt with dicipline before, I was just the one they listened to, repeated after, and laughed at. If you have any suggestions, I'd love them!

Lizara:

I know, I hate that they are practically being rewarded for their behaviour. Thing is, trying to control them all and make them write would cause me 10X the stress of getting them to watch the movie. I have no way to penalize them either. One of my serious gripes about the public school system. My only threat is lines and staying in the class to write them during their 10 minute break, which doesn't go very far. In fact there are three writing in front of me right now!

Poof:

First of all, I never want to teach again. NEVER. My hope is to make it through these last two months ( well actually only one, because after that the summer program starts, which I can handle.)
So learn how to manage kids, hopefully will only have to do it again after there are icicles in hell!

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[rothkowitz]

suggest a movie or game only if they are quiet.

If they can't be quiet,remove the offer.

If they can quieten down and 'police' each other,ok,try again after 5 minutes.

If not,stuff it.Make them do exercises.

[poet13]

I agree with Yu_Bum_suk. After ten months, I dont think you are going to get them to respect you. If you had instilled in them at the beginning the respect you deserve, you wouldnt be in this position now. I know, that doesnt help your situation now. You have two months left. You never want to teach again. Okayfine. But do the next teacher a favor and stop rewarding their behaviour with movies. The public school system may only give you a very small stick to swing, but while you are still there, you should use it more effectively. Try carrot and stick. When they are good, reward and praise. When one or two are bad, PUNISH EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THE CLASS. I promise you that the kids who didnt do anything wrong are going to be more effective at policing the classroom than you (or I) ever will be.

[rawiri]

Youv'e possibly left it too long to establish much in the way of class discipline. If your sticking around for another year then do this (btw...i work in a public elementry school and i teach 5th and 6th grades by myself) For the first month at your new school be a hard ass. Make the bad kids come up to the front and sit outside of the group if they misbehave. Don't let them become over friendly, do a roll call at the start of each class and make sure the kids answer with your name and "teacher". Don't be afraid to raise youyr voice or give a bit of a bad look to any kids who are being little buggers....but as soon as they have been reprimanded then forget about it. don't carry grudges....there only kids. Reward good behaviour with heaps of compliments....NOT CANDY!. Be consistent and plan well.


Thats all there is too it!.

[mswiftansan]

Thanks for your ideas on dicipline and your suggestions that I "made my own bed." I was just lucky enough to have a co-teacher that taught all my classes with me for 10 months. I never expected her to have leave.

What I am seeking is a sort of mental coping mechanism. I am not about to try and train the children, as we only have 3 weeks of regular classes left, plus the fact that I only see them for 40 minutes once a week.

So, any ideas on how not to blow your lid? Specially in a country where it's legal to hit them?

[elynnor]

...

[Hotpants]

I'm disturbed. You've only got 3 weeks to go, and the idea of lashing out at these kids is on your mind. You have to pull your socks up, be a responsible adult and see the kids for what they are - just kids. Didn't you pick up any ideas on class management from your co-teacher? Some kids do get bored from watching videos in class. Howabout some games. Getting some English board games should be quite labor unintensive on your behalf, and then at least the kids will have something interactive to do and have their minds kept occupied.

Whatever you do, you have to ZEN IT OUT for just a mere 3 weeks more!

[Demophobe]

Demand another teacher be present during the classes. The teacher whose kids you have at the time should have the time to take up the slcak for the missing co-teacher.

I can see your dilemma; A new teacher, comes into a class with a co-teacher and as a result, perhaps never got a feel for control on your own. It's tough. If you are going to continue teaching, then you should do this on your own; you will need to learn about classroom management sometime. Also, if you do stay, a few simple phrases in Korean are very useful. If this is it - your last pull before the big goodbye, then just demand a co-teacher and leave with some reasonable memories.

Kids are kids. Remember the substitute teacher when you were a kid? Yeah...just like that.

Do a search for tomato's posts...this man has kids figured right out and has given the best advice you will get for free on this board in regards to engaging activities and classroom control.

Look down this page on the job discussion or the next and there are some "need game ideas" and other thread titles dealing with classroom activities. Tomato has posted many links to his other posts in there.

Good luck.

[Demophobe]

Here are a few phrases you might find useful. They aren't Romanized...can you read Korean?

1. 너희들이 많이 변했어! You have changed so much! (In the setting of the students being good in the past, but not now)

2. 너희들은 착해. You are nice. (Plural..for the group...win them over? String this to #3 with 그런대...)

3. 재미있는 수업 하고싶으면 너희들이 규칙을 잘 지켜야 돼. If you want a fun class you should behave


4. 안 지키면 선생님이 재미있게 할수없어요. (If you don�t behave, I can�t provide a fun class)

5. 선생님이 한국말 잘하지 뭇해.너희들은여어잘해? I can't speak Korean well. Can you speak English? (Chastise them if they laugh at your Korean ability)

6. (그러나), 나는 선생님이야. (But) I am a teacher. (They may think you aren't a "real" teacher)

7. 그래서, 까불지말고 말 잘들어 알았지? So, don�t mess around. Listen, ok? (Following #6)

8. 너 지금 뭐하는고야? what are you doing? (Make them explain their actions)

9. 너희들 게임 하고싶으면 너네도 노력해야 돼. If you want top play a gmae, you have to try first

10. 이해하려고 노력해야지. Try to understand (Some kids have a block against understanding a foreigner; they just don't try hard enough.

11. 이해가 안되면 손들고 한사람씩 질문해, 알았지? If you don�t understand, raise your hands one by one to ask a question, ok?

12. 떠들면 벌칙있어. If you don�t listen, there is a penalty. (You need some kind of disciplinary measure if you say this.)

13. 다시말해봐. Say it again. (If they speak to you using lower terms.)

14. 너 도대채? Whats wrong with you? (Pretty harsh)

15. 어쭈? 까부는데? 가서 앉어! I'm older than you. You are being ridiculous. Sit down. (A cute expression. Use this...it will surprise them.)

Hope this helps someone if not the OP. We should start a thread about good Korean phrases to know in the classroom. Not to advocate using Korean or anything, but for when the dung hits the fan and you need a good "out".

[poet13]

"What I am seeking is a sort of mental coping mechanism. "

why didn't you just say so!

Darn it, that's what alcohol is for!