Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mnhnhyouh]

I am often asked by my Australian students why I teach. It took me a little while to package my answer about enjoying passing on the thrill of learning.

Nowadays I tell them that the "ahhhhhh" sound they make when they finally understand that difficult concept they have been having problems with is my favourite sound.

Do Korean kids make the same sound?

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[Qinella]

I've heard a lot of students do it. I don't know if it's natural of if they just picked it up from their teachers, though.

[midian3x]

Hmm and here I was thinking all Koreans did it. At my school, the teachers and the students do it whenver they get a glimmer of understanding..

[SPINOZA]

Yep, they do it alright, and possibly girls and women more than guys.

But - frankly OP - doesn't everyone, regardless of genetic heritage? I do.

[midian3x]

Actually Spin- I taught in the States and not once did the whole class ever erupt into "AAAAAAAAA!"

Really took me off guard the first time- thought a rabid racoon was loose or something.

[oneofthesarahs]

My favorite universal student sound is the fake-thoughtful "Hmmm."

You know, one of those moments when you go off on a random tangent and the students have absolutely zero clue what you're talking about, but they don't particularly care/don't want you to try to explain it further because they realize that what you're saying probably isn't that important. So they all just put on their serious face, nod their heads and say, "Hmmm."

When the "hmms" break out, that's when I know that I've lost 'em.

[Hyeon Een]

[mnhnhyouh]

[JeJuJitsu]

I like the surprised "Hoiiiiiiiiyyyy" sound, like when you say something in Korean to the kids, or get a new haircut.

And the "Mmm*grunt*" for "yes." I always feel like I'm in a Kung-Fu movie when the "Mmm's" are being exchanged.

[oskinny1]

My students in The US did the "ahhh" thing, you should have heard them when they finally figured out long division! That was probably one of the happiest moments I've ever had in teaching.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Korean kids often make more of an 'ohhhh' sound and if you surprise them with something they weren't expecting it's often more of an 'ughhh?'.

Like kids everywhere, they have very big light bulbs above their heads and you can tell when they turn on.