Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Papa Smurf]

Hey,

I sometimes find it quite unblelievable how loud the kids can get in class. I mean, i don't really remember what it was like at school, when i was that age, but i cant remember being that loud. It's the "Teacherrrrrrr help uh me!" and the "Teacher finish uh duh" at the very top of their lungs that baffles me. Just raise your damn hand. Why scream? why god, why?

So, has anyone taught in any other countries? How does the volume level compare?

[ducati]

Children in other countries are not noisy. It's only Korea. Great post, btw.

[Papa Smurf]

[Tundra_Creature]

Yep. They are. In Canada anyway. Just depends on which classes you get. Some can be roudy and loud, others can a bit more on the lax side. Don't know if they're loud for the same reasons though. Some just talk for the sake of talking.

What grade are these kids in, btw?

[Seoulteacher01]

2 things:

1) It sounds like you need to improve your classroom management abilities. Not that any of us are perfect, but my kids don't "scream" in class. I teach grades ~3-6, but maybe it's different with the younger kids.

2) People seem to be noisy sometimes when people are speaking. Ex: I went to a wedding and was taken aback by the amount of talking and texting during the service. From the sounds of things, this doesn't seem uncommon. Also, the kids don't understand English, so sometimes it's hard to get them to focus when they have very little comprehension of what your saying.

I think it may be somewhat of an external problem, but you can definitely be doing things inside the classroom to make it make.

I am interested to see what more experienced teachers have to say because I have been wondering about this myself.

[Papa Smurf]

i teach grades 1-4.

without a doubt there's room for improvement in my classroom management skills. frankly by the end some days i just dont have the energy to sort some kids out, and just try to let it wash over my head.

anyway, its not like that they are contantly screaming, but its as if every single class i have to remind certain kids that you have to raise your hand. first thing they do "TEACHEEEEEERRRRR!" Warn them, discipline them, take a sticker, whatever. They dont do it for the rest of the class. Next class; "TEACHEEEEEEERRRRRRR!" They just have the innate desire to yell at the top of their lungs, when it's absolutely unnecessary. Having spoken with coworkers and other teachers, i know its not only me enocuntering this.

[Papa Smurf]

i teach grades 1-4.

without a doubt there's room for improvement in my classroom management skills. frankly by the end some days i just dont have the energy to sort some kids out, and just try to let it wash over my head.

anyway, its not like that they are contantly screaming, but its as if every single class i have to remind certain kids that you have to raise your hand. first thing they do "TEACHEEEEEERRRRR!" Warn them, discipline them, take a sticker, whatever. They dont do it for the rest of the class. Next class; "TEACHEEEEEEERRRRRRR!" They just have the innate desire to yell at the top of their lungs, when it's absolutely unnecessary. Having spoken with coworkers and other teachers, i know its not only me enocuntering this.

[Tundra_Creature]

Yeah, that's certainly a pain.

Only thing you can really do is discipline and tell them that they won't help them unless they raise their hand. But really, there are just some kids who won't get that. Probably harder in a second language class. (It seems to go the opposite way though once Highschool comes around. Then no one wants to speak!)

[Totti]

I'm teaching Turkish kids at the minute and can say they are definitely louder then Korean kids! Try having more activities and strict time limits for the kids to follow. The more freedom you give them, the more they think you're a push over.


I'm not sure if you're teaching at a Hagwon or a Public school, but if it's at a Hagwon, try writing all the kids names on the board and give them points for good behaviour and give them minus points for bad behaviour.

[blackjack]

[oldfatfarang]

Screaming for attention is a Korean thing. It's not wrong here - for little kids, anyway.

Go to any supermarket, department store, on the street etc - you'll hear kids yelling: "OOmmma!" They're calling for their mother - as though she's on the other side of the rice field (when in fact she'll be close by and in sight).

However, I've had high school students call out loudly (to get my attention during group work), and the K co-teacher told the girl that she, "Sounds like a shrew."

I guess screaming for attention is just another Korean/Confucian age related behavior that we don't have in our culture.

If I'd have called out to my mother like that, she'd have boxed my ears.

[sharkey]

get a bamboo stick.. problem solved

[njp6]

I used to think it was just me getting bothered by the noise, but then I had some high level kids turn in essays where they contrasted school in the states and school in Korea. The main complaints were that it is too loud in Korean classrooms and no one can study. I'm just amazed how loud it gets in the halls. I know American classrooms are not perfect, but the K public schools turn into zoos. Last year a kid fell down the stairs (his friend pushed him). He broke two fingers and lost two teeth. It sucked for the kid, but it was the best thing that happened for my school. After that the teachers set up a hall pass policy and policed the halls. This year its back to the screaming, yelling, and pushing.

As far as my class goes, I try not to respond to any of that "teacher!" crap. They have to raise their hands and be quiet to get noticed. It doesn't always work, but after awhile the students pick up on it.

[Goku]

Simply observation, and not a critique of cultural significance

But I've noticed that both kids and adults are prone to emotional outbursts much more frequently than I've observed in the states.

It just seems that getting emotionally expressive isn't subdued as it is in my Western country.

Not making any judgement calls. Just my observation.

[Seoulteacher01]