Korean Job Discussion Forums

[philipjames]

I teach elementary school. I like my job and adore most of my students. But they can be so disrespectful and disobedient. I don't know how many times I've told them never to touch my computer in my office, but the moment I'm out of sight they're messing with it. The same goes for my cell phone. The moment I step out of the classroom they messing with that too, despite the fact that I expressly told them (in Korean) not to touch it.

Today I taught a supplementary class (two forty minute classes with a ten minute break). After break we were going to play a game and if they answered three questions correctly they got a candy. At break time, I step out of the classroom for two minutes. I told the class (again in Korean) NOT to touch the bag of candy on my desk. When I return half the class is eating the candies. Not only that, several of the children had filled their coat pockets with the candies. Others still had their grubby hands deep inside the bag.

I wasn't surprised but I was pissed off. Where do these kids get the nerve? Do their parents not teach them any manners? As a child I would never have dreamed of touching anything on my teacher's desk, never mind stealing from the teacher.

[xCustomx]

Sorry to hear about that, but next time, don't take any chances at all. Log off the computer and put a password protection on it so they can't even access anything. Lock all your drawers, and never leave a phone, wallet, or anything valuable out in the open. It's unfortunate that we can't trust the students, so it's best to take precautions and not give them the opportunity to steal anything.

[Xuanzang]

Lock your classroom doors when you step out. Put your valuables away in your pocket or bag and store it in a locked drawer. We`ve heard of theft happening before on here. No sense in increasing the chances.

[Bingo]

I have the same problem with students messing with things on my desk. They even have the audacity to change the settings on my cell phone or use my computer even though I've a sign hanging on the computer saying not to touch it.

Sure we can all lock our doors etc. and not leave the class for one moment. But I don't think that's what the OP is getting at. The point is: Where do these children get the idea that this behaviour is acceptable.

If I had ever touched anything on the teacher's desk as a kid I'd have landed in the principal's office in a flash.

Is this behaviour a kid thing, or a Korean kid thing?

[cruisemonkey]

I'm not saying they're right, but come on!!!... you left a bag of candy unattended in front of a bunch of little kids.

I know what I would expect to happen.

[Xuanzang]

Lock the windows too. They climb in like little monkeys and then open the front door. I know they have so much cheek. I never, EVER considered touching my teachers` stuff back in elementary school. I wouldnt say it`s endemic to Korea as kids back home can be touchy. I just think Koreans think it`s their God given right to know people`s personal affairs and touch other people`s things. I always notice how nosy they are.

[Bingo]

When I was a kid a teacher would never have had to say 'Don't touch this or that on my desk." It was understood. It didn't have to be said. With my students it has to be stated very forcefully, and even then its usually disregarded.

[crusher_of_heads]

Leaving candy in front of children-of course they'll take it. The other stuff is intolerable, but come on!

[KYC]

how old are they? I also teach 2 classes afterschool. The first class consists of first through third graders. I don't trust them with my personal belongings alone. The second class consists of fourth and fifth graders. They've never touched my stuff. And I have left a bag of candy in plain view and they didn't dare touch it. I didn't even have to instruct them not to touch it. I've even asked some of the students to fetch my purse from my office.

[travelingfool]

Question.......would they dare do the same things with their Korean teachers? Of course not. They pull that kind of crap because they don't respect you. The whole 'kids will be kids' argument doesn't cut it.

[joshuahirtle27]

When my little monkeys decide to get creative with where their hands go in regards to my things I simply ask "Do I go in your book bag without asking you?" to which they answer "no" then I ask, "Do you want me to?"
"no"
"Then why do you go in my basket when I don't tell you to? You're now -5 and there will be no game today."
*Whole Class* "Awwwwwww. Thanks, ____________________!"

[cdninkorea]

Remember the Seinfeld where Peterman doesn't punish Elaine for stealing his antique cake, the reason being that digesting it will be punishment enough?

Put strong laxatives in the candy. Then put it on your desk.

[yingwenlaoshi]

I used to give candy out quite generously to kids. Then I stopped. They weren't stealing it, but one time a junior high class helped themselves to a bit that was on my desk, but not tucked away. I think it was after that that I stopped. Plus I think giving out candy doesn't do them much good. I just resorted to taking them to store at random times to get ice cream or snacks. I thought it better to that to reward them for just being kids. This was out in the country and I'll be willing to be that the OP's students are in Seoul. Kids in this city are less respectful and get away with a lot more.

Now I don't give kids anything at all at my current job. I couldn't be arsed to. I may do it again at my new job, but we'll see how it goes. If anything, it will just be random trips to the store. Depends how busy I am. I don't like those jobs (like this one) where I'm running around from class to class with 5-minutes to do so.

Are kids disrespectful here? You bet your arse they are! Kids will be kids, but I'll be damned if they act they way they do here back where I'm from. There'd be a quick stop to it. But they pander to them here for business or face purposes. And foreigners are especially treated as scapegoats, but of course Korean teachers most likely get some bad treatment as well.

I'm really beginning to despise some of these kids. Some are great while others are complete arseholes. And where do they get it? They should be kicked out of private academies for their behavior. Immediately. I mean not just for outrageous things, but for being disruptive. This talking in Korean and speaking while others and the teachers are reading and doing conversation excercises. I really don't take that sheet, but at the same time, it's hard to kick them out of class, etc. There's just no one to take them to and discipline them.

It's a goddamned farce and I'll be damned if they get candy.

http://www.mywildcrazyspace.com/wp-content/themes/2007/12/grinch_santa.jpg

[Arthur Dent]

There is no way I would put up with this. I would give them what for until their ears were bleeding. Usually the hairy eye is enough, but my height gives me a distinct advantage.
One look at my face and a complete silence would descend on the class.
That and I am not afraid to physically pick them up and carry them out of the class.

But it would never get that far. I would have spoken to my boss immediately. They were very afraid of her. And though they all liked me, indeed swarmed in the hallway, they also knew enough to be wary.

Candy or not, if it isn't theirs, they don't touch it.

However, I only once had a problem with this in kindy through grade school kids. This child, only 4 or 5, denied having taken another child's candy which she had left on the table. I asked her twice and she still denied it. I believed her but in looking decided to check her bag just in case.
"She may have taken it by mistake," I thought.
There it was.
I didn't have to say anything, She burst into tears. I didn't scold her but told her gently and quietly that this was not acceptable. To be fair, this particular child had some real problems and was intermittently on medication. I didn't treat her harshly but just the same as the other kids.
She never did it again as far as I know. The lessons start early.

On the lighter side, I used to take my kids for ice cream when we had gym time once a week. Most of the time I would pay. This was usually enough to keep them in line. They knew it would not take much to lose this privilege.
Homework done, or do it in class while everyone waits for you. All of a sudden you are not popular.
Behave well, or no one goes outside.
Behave well outside, or we go back inside.
No exceptions.
When we did go for snacks or ice cream, I began to pretend that I had no money and offer the storekeeper one of the kids for the ice creams.
Unfortunately she always refused, though there was one time....never did find out what happened to that kid... (Just kidding, except for one or two exceptions, my kids were good).
"Ahhh, teacher!" I'm sure you can hear it now.
They had a good laugh about this. And I did it every time after the first time.
One time I actually got one of the kids to go to the boss and ask her to pay for it! I didn't think she would go, but she did! I didn't think the boss would pay...but she did!
Later she asked for a receipt! For about 10 bucks!
A few other times, some of the kids brought money from home to treat all the kids. A good lesson in popularity. I never seriously suggested this but they got the message and ponied up.

The problem with the kids who were problems was not that they were bad kids, but that their parents weren't around enough. Not enough Dad, and overwhelmed or inexperienced mom. I still discipline kids in front of their moms. Not harshly, I just make it known directly to the kids that their behaviour is unacceptable. The moms respond well to this, and later, there are less problems.
They see that the kids respond well to it, and follow suit.
It takes more time and energy on the front end, but less on the back end.

Good luck with this, OP.

[I_Am_The_Kiwi]

Lock things away, wallet cellphone etc, password your computer.

Next time you have candy, bring in mothballs and put em on your desk instead, or laxative pills.......then see how often they go for em after that.