Korean Job Discussion Forums

poet13 · Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 8:08 pm Post subject:

ok, i reread it. Second time through I got it.
I cannot agree however that forbidding the topic is the best way to go. There has to be something more constructive. I dont see with fault with the student, I see my inability to deal with it in a better way as my own weakness...

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

Do an Ernest Angley role play where students come to the front of the class.

"YOU ARE HEALED!"

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

So I guess the following would be a sign of teaching weakness as wellif they were brought up by students:

1) Are you married? Why not?
2) Do you have children? Why not?
3) How much money do you make?
4) Tell me about your first time, and don't worry about the fact there is a girl sitting there.
5) Do you have a religion?
6) Do you enjoy drinking?
7) How much can you drink?

NOT teaching them how to speak in a culturally sensitive way is doing them a disservice. What would happen if that student did that in a classroom in your home country? They'd be shut down in a split second in mine.

EFLtrainer · Joined: 04 May 2005

Pragic, the OPs comment was dead on. The only thing a teacher has absolute control over in the classroom is themselves. I would encourage any teacher to take a reflective stance first: what am I doing/can I do in this situation? Blaming the student is easy; learning to deal with a difficult situation is much harder, but much more useful and rewarding in the long run.

Your response was entirely off focusing on the topics themselves. Argumentative, even.

OP, I agree with talking to the student outside of class. Should that not work, redirecting when she gets off the topic. Sometimes you do just have to state what the purpose of a particular activity is.

Big_Bird · Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 11:10 pm Post subject:

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Hotpants · Joined: 27 Jan 2006

From time to time everyone gets a student who just stands out in an odd way.

In your case, grabbing your hand and reciting Christian prayers in the class seem pretty extreme. I think it is justifiable to take the student aside after class and have a word with her. Politely explain your feeling that prayer sessions are not appropriate for the class. Besides, other students could be of different faiths. She should have more common sense to recognize that her actions are incongruous.

Tell her that if she wants to spread the gospel, then she could offer a bible study group at a separate time to which she could invite other students if they were interested. Many Koreans have this type of 'club'. Confronting her early about the topic is better than letting it drag on and telling her later. Any decent person should be accommodating if you bring up your concern tactfully. If she gets funny about it and quits, then all the better for your class imo.

poet13 · Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 1:19 am Post subject:

ahhh spliff...
I said I "have been trying to avoid cutting politics and religion out of class discussion." the operative word being avoid....

I think there is a time and a place for ANY topic, of course having a very special time and place. example.....i had a few male civil servant students. We went out for drinks one night. A couple of hours in, they had a short, serious, and urgent discussion between themselves. Their collective mind made up, they all turned to me and their spokesman said, "please teach us F**! word." So, two hilarious hours of the f-bomb ensued.

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

One of my university kids thinks of himself as the class clown (he behaves like a 10 year-old). Gives me trouble every class. Today, it was a very loud 'Oh, handsome boy!" in the most obnoxious voice the he could muster to greet me as I entered the classroom because I was wearing something a little bit more formal thand I usually do. I simply told him it was rude to call me a boy because I'm old enough to be his father. I'm not sure he got it, though. At least it kept him quiet for the rest of the class.

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

I think teachers should learn to relax a little more and enjoy the diversity of "learning types" that they encounter....

She grabs my hand and wants to pray???? I say, let's pray but let me lead!!!! As the teacher I will lead it where my studentS want.

A student calls me handsome boy? I'd laugh and ask why? He'd tell the whole class and everyone would be learning. Probably laughing......

No situation in language is a corner. That only happens in the movies when the other guy has a gun and the protaganist, faint memories of some old Bruce Lee flic......

My view.....don't sweat the small stuff and turn it all into an advantage....like my old wrestling coach used to say about using the other guys weight to toss him...

DD

TheFonz · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Location: North Georgia

Sadsac wrote:

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

The Fonz, I didn't get on this particular students case regarding his belief, I did gently expalin that there are other topics which would engender a better level and quality of discussion than his religious beliefs. I take nothing away form him in wishing to express this belief, just that the classroom was not the most appropriate place. He still remains in contact with me even though he now lives in Seoul. Smile

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Big Bird wrote, "Uh oh. If you end up doing a CELTA (or an equivalent) or an MA in a related field, you'll end up being reminded time and time again that English is no longer like any other foreign language, in that it's become a world language - and automatically teaching "inner-circle English culture" has become a contentious issue. "

Fine, show me ONE native English speaking country where pushing your religious values on a confined group is considered a good thing. I in no way infered that teachers should 'shove our culture down their throat.' Rather, I suggested that learning to speak English, or any language for that matter, in a culturally appropriate manner is a requisite skill. In general, this 'culturally appropriate manner' is distinguished by individual teachers well versed in their home and, optimistically, other native English speaking countries.

Seems that there are a lot of cultural coddlers out there. Sure, any mistake or inappropriate conversation can be used as an in-class vehicle for educational purposes. No arguement there, and you don't need a certificate program to know it. In this case, however, the student expresses a culturally insensative stance, and tries to manipulate the entire class. Not going to happen.

Doesn't anyone out there wish that someone had taught Mr. Kim that it is not polite to repeatedly comment on how beautiful (or fat or skinny) a woman is in public when speaking English, or to frain from inquiring about sexually explicit topics if a lady is present? I cringe. Cute? Sure, as we are in Korea. Correct? Not, and the student would be better served by learning not to speak outside of a cultural context norm when addressing native speakers in English outside of Korea.

Hasn't anyone here gotten lectured by Korean about the use of formal vs blunt language? About deference to one's elders? About a load of culturally specific verbal and non-verbal communicative skills required to get by in Korea? I have, and I take the lessons to the bank.

poet13 · Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 8:00 pm Post subject:

Tiger Beer,
My classroom is set up with two rectangle tables pushed together to form a square. No other setup possible in the small room. So, yes, we all talk about the same topic, with one person talking at a time. I try to make sure that every person has their say, and sometimes I designate one or more persons as devils advocate or in another role.