Korean Job Discussion Forums

Oreovictim · Joined: 23 Aug 2006

We all have kick-a$$ students, and we all have the students from hell.

What do your trouble students do, and what would you REALLY like to do with them? This is just between us on here.

I'm bald, and I have younger students who always want to touch my head. They're all cool; they're just curious. But I have some older kids (6th grade) who point and call me "shiney head" as soon as I walk in. Or some point and yell, "You ugly! You ugly!" I have one girl who has drawn many insulting pictures of me. (I've had the director call her parents on more than one occasion but for other reasons.)

I would love to say, "Yeah, well, you look Japanese." Of course I don't want to get in trouble, and I don't want to stoop to their level.

Come on, tell me your problems and solutions.

Return Jones · Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 5:59 pm Post subject:

They're kids, don't insult them or stoop to their level. I sometimes offer back a few funny and lighthearted jokes, but nothing that would come close to insulting them or creating controversy. Sounds to me like you're taking the comments of a few 12-year-olds a bit too seriously. Chill a bit. Water off a duck's back. How long have you been teaching?

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

Solution: Public school my friend.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

Mr. Yu, that is hilarious. What a concept.

Oreovictim, I'll teach you something I learned.. well, when I was in 5th grade. If someone insults you, just pretend like it was a compliment. You ugly! Thanks! I like being ugly! You shiny head! Yeah, I love it!

And so forth.

SPINOZA · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Location: $eoul

At the very, very height of generalization, I adore girls and hate boys. But - as I said - that's being really general - the exception to the rule is almost always great boys. Disgustingly disagreeable or offensive girls are extremely rare.

I'm a very tolerant teacher. I let most crap slide. The only thing I will have a student thrashed for is blatent rudeness or use of banmal to me. Recently, the only girl in school who I 100% dislike answered 몰라 to me. In this case, I was happy to refer her to co-teacher, who dished out the appropriate humiliating act of brutality. Three days later I taught this girl again. As I walked into the classroom, she said 아이씨발! I walked up to her and said "아이씨 blah blah blah?" She's such a stupid low-life she doesn't think I understand. She was surprised I understood and laughed in a regretful manner. Didn't appease me at all. I had her punished to the full once more.

I've all the time in the world for children, but blatant rudeness and disrespect is well worthy of a 100% reactionary response.

kermo · Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 7:41 pm Post subject:

I used to have a student named Horton. He was in early middle school, blessed with movie-star good looks, but sadly not the gift of languages. He was in over his head, promoted to a class he couldn't hope to understand, so his reaction was to keep teachers at a distance through hostility and passivity. He was a really angry kid, deep down, but wore a mask of insouciance and an air of devil-may-care.

If I called on him to answer a question, he covered his ignorance and embarrasment with a sly grin, or a smart remark in Korean. He used "ship-bbal" and "gae-saekki" constantly, and I was having a hard time addressing it.

I tried direct, simple rebuke: "Horton, we don't use that language in class." I tried my "teacher glare." He'd accept the rebuke, but the frequency wasn't diminishing.

Here's my solution. The next time I heard him cursing, I stopped and drew a picture of a cute little puppy on the board. "Horton, you really like puppies, don't you! I wish I had eighteen of them! Wouldn't that be great?" The class giggled, Horton knew I was addressing his cursing, but he didn't like to have attention drawn to him when it wasn't hostile. He knew how to handle angry teachers, but not goofy, happy ones. It stopped for the rest of the class.

The next class, I kept my ears open, and every time I heard him use a curse, I put a little tally-mark on the board. The students were intrigued, but I wouldn't tell them what it was for. Horton looked worried, but he wasn't sure what it was all about. At the end of the class, I said "Wow-- you only used those bad words ___ times today!" Horton looked mortified, and never swore in my class again.

Oreovictim · Joined: 23 Aug 2006

Yeah, I've only been teaching for three weeks now. It's funny, most of my girls are complete angels. I only have one who insults me to my face or behind my back in Korean and English. When I mention that I will get the director, she'll say, "I don't care. Go!" Ten minutes later, she's in his office crying.

I have a lot of patience for talking, not paying attention (they're in school all day), text messaging, being late, etc. I just don't like getting things thrown at me, insults to my face, and kids who open up the back windows and yell outside.

End of my b!tch session.

- Later

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

Hold up your hand in a stop motion and say "Ppansa!" (sp?) Which means mirror. - like youre reflecting what they say back at them. I learned this off the kids, and they think its halarious! All the other kids laugh and I find the insults stop right there. Can turn a frustration situation into something funny and its not exactly insulting them back.

thegadfly · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

Kermo, I like your style!

I keep a piece of pumpkin candy (yut, in a wrapper) taped to the side of my desk (hidden from view but handy). If someone uses some bad language, I grab the candy and toss it to the student...then (in English) ask how he would like it if I told him he must eat it...usually, the whole class looks at him all confused...then they translate into Korean...and they laugh. (I only use this on high school kids or older middle school kids, as they are old enough to get it).

Oreovictim · Joined: 23 Aug 2006

I brought over a bunch of American candy. On the first week, my class from hell were being completely uncontrolable. About two minutes before it was time to leave, I pulled out the candy, and all of the kids started yell, "Oh, candy! Candy!"

I gave some candy to the two only kids in the class who were being quiet. Then I ate a piece and started to overdo it with the gestures. "YUM! Oh, this candy is SO good!" The ones who got candy had a big smile because 1) I gave them candy. 2) I was teasing the other kids.

The kids from hell just have no grasp of positive reinforcement. "Teacher, teacher! Candy, PLEASE!"

It doesn't really work that well. Plus, you'll eventually run out of candy. But it is pretty fun to pull once in a while.

Meggiebea · Joined: 20 Oct 2006 Location: Uijeongbu, South Korea

Be firm. If you only started a few weeks ago the students are testing you. Sharp, quick responses "Enough" "Be respectful" etc. Do not threaten to take action, do it and take them by surprise. Nothing is more scary than not knowing what will happen if you misbehave. If you threathen and do not follow through they will keep it up.
I also believe in the power of candy. At the end of class each student gets a candy. Vary the candy, buy expensive ones sometime so the kids REALLY want them, cheap ones the next so they never know what they are going to get. The brats get nothing. Don't make a big deal out of it, that will only embarrass them and make them rebel more. Simply and quietly say I wish I could give this to you, I am sure you're a great kid and I like you, but you must stop_____.

kermo · Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 9:34 pm Post subject:

ChopChaeJoe · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Location: Seoul

Stick the bad ones in the corner. If they keep it up, throw them outside.

If it's just excessive talking, making the talkers come up to the front and address the class works well.

sock · Joined: 07 Oct 2006