Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Zed]

[paperbag princess]

i hate when my kids eat in class. they don't know that they are supposed to keep their mouth shut when they chew and it's incredibly disgusting. the only thing more digusting than the slurping/smacking noises are the old men horking on the street.

[jajdude]

Despite my earlier laudry list of annoyance I forgot one that does get me sometimes. When they repeat what you say, or try to, sort of mockingly as it is usually the weaker, lower-level and younger kids who do that, and don't understand you, so they "repeat" you but often get it all wrong anyway. Sometimes it's funny but mostly it is annoying and I might express a bit of irritation to get 'em to stop it.

If they understood how annoying Korean can be for the poor waeguk at times!

[jay-shi]

When my middle school kids use their cell phones in class I confiscate them and call my mom in Canada.

[jazblanc77]

1.) Mimicking
2.) Idiocy
3.) Swearing
4.) Phones, gum, and food
5.) "Teacher... GAME!"

[ryleeys]

I agree with the mimicking, asking for a game, trying to leave, climbing on stuff, yelling, sleeping, ddong chiming, etc...


But the biggest pet peeve for me is:

They follow me home. The worst thing about my job is that I live in the same building as my hagwan. So every day, when I leave, I have to race a horde of Korean children to try and unlock my door, slam it closed, and lock it again... otherwise I end up with dozens of little Korean hands trying to pry my door open and see my apartment. I accept that I am here to fill two purposes: teach and entertain. So when I'm in my school, I get annoyed by things, but I accept them as part of the job. But when it is brought to my home, that's way over the line.

[jazblanc77]

Kids trying to get into my apartment would put me over the edge as I'm big on seperating work life from personal life and privacy. A couple years ago, some students tried finding my house, I tricked them by telling them that I lived somewhere else (the apartment of another teacher whom I didn't like!). It did the trick! Last year, my apartment was over the school and my "wonderful" boss decided to open one of the vacant apartments next door as a classroom. Soon, one of the kids decided to always wander by my door whenever it was opened and try to look in. I berated him rather badly even though I liked the kid and complained to the boss. He got the hint and didn't do it (many), more times. The key is not to be nice about it. If you smile and joke about it, they will think it is just fun-and-games.

[some waygug-in]

This is a problem with adult students, and it's partly due to the way the school is set up. (or isn't set up)

I have several low level adult classes, which have no textbook. I am supposed to photocopy stuff for them a week in advance so they can have a chance to look stuff over. A good idea in theory, but what happens is that on Monday 5 students show up, I give out the "text" for the week and we proceed with class. On Tuesday, half of them don't show up, but I have to continue on regardless. On Wednessday, a new student or 2 will just show up un-announced and will expect me to alter the class to suit their expectations. I hand them the "text" and if their level is remotely close to the rest of the class I try to proceed onwards.
But what happens if they are quite advanced, and the class is mostly beginnners? They usually, complain that I am un organized or that I am not teaching suitable material for their level. Or the reverse happens as well, a beginner student will show up un-announced in a high level class and totally throw off my plans for the class. Then the student leaves, complaining that I am disorganized.

I am dealing with this the best I can, frustrating though it is. I keep extra copies of the "text" as well as extra "emergency lessons" at various levels, because I just don't know what to expect from day to day. I am worried that the students will be complaining a lot more in the future, as this seems like a no-win situation for me. I am having trouble remembering what I have taught to each class, and which students have received what lessons, arghhhhhh! Why can't they just get a textbook and use it?

I already know the answer to that one, the school is offering classes at a cut rate, as the students don't have to fork out for books. This is supposed to be a selling point for the school, but it's turning into a nightmare for me. I just hope that I can get a better grip on the situation before too many more students complain. Oh well, it's always the teacher's fault, I know that.

[osangrl]

"Teacher Game" repeat 100 times.

[Crois]

When the kids just follow me around. Or pick up every little thing on my desk.

Also when they dont get the hint that I want them to stop or do as I say.

[Wishmaster]

Koreans having the second highest average IQ in the world?...I find that one very hard to believe. Perhaps so, if the IQ tests were administered in Korea where the scores were most assuredly jacked up due to bribery and jingoism. They pride themselves on their education. They overinflate their intellectual accomplishments. If any country studied as intensely, the results would be similar. Koreans are not exceptional.

As far as annoying things that my students do, the Fucking USA song is certainly near the top. As is the dong-chim and the cell phone thangs. But as long as the money keeps flowing in and they pay for my next vacation, they can have their little fun. When I'm chilling on the beach thanks to my "teaching", I'll be sure to lift a Mai-Tai to them as they slave away in their pathetic education hell.

[Corporal]

what annoys me...when the kids:

say, "do we have class with the waegookin sonsaengnim today?" although I've been teaching them for three months and you would think they would have gotten the hang of the schedule, or my name, or both, by now.

say, "Teacher, tired." Yeah, and I'm not? Quit whining.

speak English inaudibly, but Korean at the tops of their raucous voices.

bring shit into class and eat it with their mouths open in front of me.

yawn openly in front of me. Ohhhhhh that irks me. I can't do it, why should they feel free to?


Those are just a few, I could go on.

[Miryum]

"I have several low level adult classes, which have no textbook. I am supposed to photocopy stuff for them a week in advance so they can have a chance to look stuff over. A good idea in theory, but what happens is that on Monday 5 students show up, I give out the "text" for the week and we proceed with class. On Tuesday, half of them don't show up, but I have to continue on regardless..."

Yup I have the exact same problem! I'm teaching adults too & my morning classes are supposed to be a level lower than the afternoon classes. But it's never that straightforward. Students basically come to whatever class they want, and even if they do come to the supposedly 'right' level, there is a massive gulf between the abilities of the better students in the class and the rest. Also class size varies from about 6 students to one or two.

Cause of all this, It's really hard to pitch lessons at the right level. I feel some students find the material fine, while others aren't challenged. I've no textbook either - I feel your frustration!

[Crois]

You know what the answer is???

Give them all Ridlin (spl) (stuff for kids with ADD I think).

[jazblanc77]