Korean Job Discussion Forums

travelingfool · Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Location: Parents' basement

Do you ever feel an underlying resentment among Korean adult students about their having to learn English? Do they resent the fact they have to learn English from a westerner? Have you ever felt like you were the recipient of their ire?

I have several adult students with major attitude problems. I never encountered this when I taught in other countries. It's like their sole purpose for coming to class is to antagonize the foreign monkey. No matter how nice you are to them, it's like they have this big chip on their shoulder. I am not saying every student is like that. Most are cool, but those few bad apples can really negatively affect an otherwise good class.

Your insight would be appreciated.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

When I was teaching a lot of university students I had a few who expressed a certain resentment about having to learn English. Their point, and a good one actually, was that the time taken from studying their major was making them less competitive in that sense.

I cannot recall any adult student overtly or even subtly expressing the kind of resentment the OP mentioned in class. I did see some of it in high school students.

Wish I could think of a constructive suggestion to make. (The only thing that comes to mind is maybe a different style of lesson, but without knowing more about the specific situation, I don't think that's much help.)

Kwangjuchicken · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 1:22 am Post subject: Re: Question about adult students

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

Some have resentment on being "forced" to learn English when they know they wont use it in their future jobs. Others truly want to learn and improve themselves. You get the good and the bad with adults, as with any age group.

saw6436 · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon, ROK

They are adults. If they are not happy being in class, and projecting that attitude, tell them to ge the f**k out. I've tossed several adults out of my classes over the years. Its not your fault they are in your class.

I don't mind their negativity toward me as much as I mind their negativity infecting the class like a cancer. I generally make one overt effort to empathise (sp) with the S, then I'm done. Don't waste my time or the other students.

jadarite · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 10:54 am Post subject:

I taught in another country, perhaps the same as the OP (Japan), and I can relate to what they are saying. Japanese adult students hide their feelings. They pretend like they love the class or lesson but deep inside may not.

Koreans on the other hand aren't afraid to say it like it is. I also found they don't like to interact with foreigners in a group setting. One on one it's ok, but in a group, it's like they need a leader to ok everything before they submit their answer/reply. This becomes even more difficult when trying to get them to state their opinions.

Fat_Elvis · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Location: In the ghetto

Yes, I've had a few like that but nothing unmanageable. They lead a stressful life and their probably a bit jealous of us being able to travel the world and get work just because we know a certain language. I would be too.

Is this at a hagwon or at a university? I think things might be worse at a university as the students have no choice about being there. I work at an adult hagwon so at least there they're paying good money to learn English.

You should possibly spend some more time just building rapport with them. Try playing some kind of communicative English board game, or do something their interested in, some enjoyable task but in English, or choose topics that spark their interest. That might help.