Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dog_disco]

...I've been here six weeks. My major problem is keeping order. I had one kid tell me today that when I talk nobody listens and everyone plays.

I try and be nice. I write names on the board. I threaten sending in the boss. Korea talking, no work gets done. Nothing seems to work. Do I need to totally go ballistic on these kids? Send them in the hall?

Finally, have things gone too far to win their respect?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Snowkr]

You have to be a hardass.
The kids need to learn that they need to respect foreign teachers too. That kind of behavior doesn't go unpunished in my hogwon, thanks to my boss.

If I were you, I'd kick them out and have their parents contacted if they refused to behave in class. If your school doesn't back you up on the discipline, perhaps you can tell them to find another BABYSITTER. You're here to teach.

[tomato]

Hello, Dog Disco!

I have been here for 6 years.
Take a look at my thread on disciplinary techniques
and decide if I'm 52 times as smart as you are:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=58386&highlight=disciplinary+techniques

[heydelores]

What age group do you have, Dog Disco? Different techniques work for different ages and different settings. Does your school have any kind of discipline code already in place?

[cruisemonkey]

You have to establish dominance from square 1.

I don't have discipline problems because from literally the first 30 seconds of meeting new students, I tell them what I expect... and I never waiver from 'the rules'.

[alabamaman]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Welcome to hogwan. After you've been to hell and back you'll discover that your institution, and not you, is 90% responsible for how your students behave.

[jstrain]

You need to make a plan (rules), no more than 5. Teach the rules and post them. Learn the students Korean names. Have a seating chart.

Example 1
1 Don't talk when I am talking.
2 Don't talk while others are speaking
3 Keep your hands to yourself
4 Be respectful

Example 2
1 Be kind
2 Be courteous
3 Don't bug others

Use these rules as a lesson. You also should have a list of consequences and maybe rewards.

Example
1 warning
2 name on the board
3 5 - 15 minute time out (hall or with the secretary)
4 conference with director

Example
10 minutes game
Ice cream or snack
...

Half the fun is making up you own plan but consistency in the key.
Hope this helps!

[dulouz]

[dog_disco]

The ones that give me the most grief are a bit older (12, 13). I understand they can't be totally quiet or on task all the time.

I would like them to stop talking on top of each other.

Am I getting it worse because I am a guy teacher, or does that not figure into it?

Thanks for the advice.
[/quote]

[Dysupes]

For my discipline problems, I worked out a simple formula: be a nazi. I know it sounds harsh but I'm extremely strict on my kids and within a month or two of coming to my class they learn that they will behave or leave the class. I've been at the same school for 2 and a half yars and I will stay longer probably and my Korean co-workers don't challenge me at all when it comes to kids being kicked out of my class because they know I don't let the bull sh it fly... My co-worker told me when he observed my classes "Man, you're so tough on them, you're such an a ss" and yet within a few months he tried to start acting the same way because he realized that out of all the classes at our school mine are the most well-behaved. Why? Because I'm strict on them and I expect them to be attentive and do their best. It's simple and fair and though some kids will say they don't like me, most choose me as the teacher they want because they know I'm fair and reward good behavior with stickers and prizes. As has been said before, consistency is the key. If you are consistent, the kids will love you and respect you. Some