Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jaderedux]

Miss Jade
Jade Teacher
Jade Songsengnim
Teacher

Never ever ever by first name alone ....Teacher is fine as it is their custom.

It keeps me at that same level as the rest of the teachers.

Miss Jade walking softly and carrying a big stick

[Hobophobic]

I get Welddong monkey king teachah!...or rather did..at the hagwon...all due to my hair style and given name...the receeding vampire chimp forehead and sideburns maybe have to go...

[Cymro]

Depends how formal a relationship you want with your students.

English learning is through communication, exchanging ideas and information, often about yourself and your life. I like to be friendly with students and feel they're not going to speak out unless you do (you can cover up anything you'd rather not disclose by just lying).

Of course, I use my first name.

I also use their Korean given names only. They tell me they have English names to make it easier for foreigners to understand which, under the idea above, is unfair. They're learning a whole new language, the least we can do is learn their names. The argument that their names are difficult is shredded by the examples of internationally-known Noh Mu-hyun, Kim Jong-il, Bak Ji-seong et al. Can you imagine Mu-hyun greeting Bush with "My English name is James-uh!"

I'm bored, enough rambling!

[pet lover]

Still, you have to feel for the ones who have to introduce themselves, "Hello, my name is Bum-Suk." Or any variation of that sort. I like using their Korean names for the most part. But, it's going on eight months now and I STILL giggle on the inside when I have to yell, "BUM-Suk! Stop touching him!" I think there would be less internal giggling on my part if he were using an English nickname or a Korean nickname.

[wylde]

[denverdeath]

I prefer to use my given name. I tell 'em that my mother doesn't call me "Mister," my father never called me "Mister," my friends don't call me "Mister," my wife doesn't call me "Mister," and that I'd be uncomfortable if they did. Sometimes I get "teacher," "monkey," "monkey teacher," "teacher monkey," "monkey babo," "babo monkey," "babo teacher," "teacher babo," occasionally "Kojak," and rarely "sh*t-eating-foreign-monkey-devil-dog."

[Son Deureo!]

At the risk of further hijacking this thread, I call my students whatever they want me to call them within reason. I had to shoot down "Softhair", "Peaceman", "Honey" (it was a guy) and "Big Sun" as English nicknames. Did I mention that I teach adults? Some students really do feel more comfortable using an alias when they speak English because it lets them get into character, or maybe because it doesn't feel like they are being "talked down to" like it does when someone uses their real name when they're speaking Korean.

I don't try to encourage English nicknames in the classroom, because I do think they're a little silly.

As for what they should call me, I tell all of them on the first day of class that I'd prefer it if they call me by my first name, but if that makes them uncomfortable or they want to show me respect they may call me "Mr. Deureo!" or "Sir" at the risk of making me feel old. "Teacher" is never acceptable, because it is not done in anglophone countries. And I correct them whenever they call me "teacher".

Surprisingly enough, my younger (uni age) students seem to prefer calling me "sir".

[jaderedux]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

It looks like I'm suceeding with Mr _____. I'd be fine with them just using my given name, but ________-teachuh sounds so stupid - I'm glad I'm away from a school where that's the norm.

[MixtecaMike]

Great Sage Equal of the Heavens,

or just plain Master, for short. "of the Universe" is understood.

[wylde]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[jaderedux]

that does not sound well researched if you are stuck with 1 rule.. how do you know the other sides story if you 'under no circumstances' go there?

Well in my school, under no circumstances can I be viewed as a "friend". I am sorry but I think it is bad form for me. I teach 13,14 and 15 year old boys. I don't think it is appropriate to be a friend.

and, do you think you are the only one with those types of responsibilities, such as writing exams?

No, I know many other teachers do. I was just trying to point out that I must remain relevant to them. What they do in my class is graded by the co-teachers and the questions appear on the finals.

by saying you prefer a noisy, active class do you really mean that you can't control them well? cuz if you are trying to put yourself in the same position as a korean teacher (or, another teacher as you say) you have failed cuz no other (korean) teachers allow a noisy class unless the korean teacher is trying to be funny.. or, you have a double standard when you say that you they must see you as another teacher.. one or the other.. you can choose

I do prefer an active class....If they are noisy it is because one rule I do have in my class is SAY IT IN ENGLISH...so now and them some one will blurt out odd things they think of in English. Korean teachers in my school seem to be more lecture based and seldom move around the class room. I am not better than them just different. And different is sometimes more fun.

I am different but I am still a teacher. I don't know why you are so combative. I was merely stating what works for me. I am sorry if I have offended you. I am sure being super friends with your students works well for you but in my school system it just wouldn't work.

if you are asking a student how to say something in korean, do you then address them as mr. kim? well, you should.. they are then your teacher and following your example, you should maintain the difference..

My students are middle school students (in a public school). I would not address a middle school student in the west as Mr. Smith either and they would not address me as "Jade". Perhaps things are different in public schools where you come from but all thru school including high school I did not address my teachers by their first names.

if you cannot teach someone who is your friend, maybe you should have another look at your technique..

I am not teaching people that are in my peer group. They are alot younger than I am and in a public school setting. As far as teaching a friend that is another subject. A peer or friend would be different than a room full of 40 middle school boys.

have a nice day at school miss powertrip..

I am not sure what has caused you to be so caustic. What works for you works for you. I can't teach that way. I never belittled your teaching. Only gave my opinion. I am not on a power trip. I came to this conclusion after my first year at this school. The distance has to be there. Students don't need the added confusion of trying to deal with me completely differently.

Have a nice and maybe some hot chocolate and a cookie might help.

Miss Jade

[wylde]

i was being a jerk.. i just moved into a new place last week and my bed is located under my air conditioner.. with all this rain, the air con leaked a lot..

3/4 of my queen size bed is saturated.. i haven't slept well in 3 days..

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I'm teaching 2/3 high school and 1/3 middle school. The high school teachers made a point of teaching the students to call me how I'd like to be called and the middle school principal apparently went around from class to class telling the students the new teacher is 'Stephen' and having them all repeat it several times. Now the 16-18 year-olds are calling me Mr and the younger kids are calling me Stephen. Oh well, in Korea everything is backwards anyways. As long as they don't call me by the pathetically stupid title 'Stephen-teacher' I really don't care. It's almost worth moving away from hogwan teaching just to avoid hearing ________-teacher all the time.