Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Linda868]

This September they rearranged all the classes. In one class I have 10 sixth graders (2 boys and 8 girls). I have had them before they moved everyone around. Most of them were problem students in my other classes and were difficult to work with. Now that they are combined things are worse.
Some days they are perfect angels. Other days they drive me up the wall. They try and text on their cell phones when I am not looking. I take their phones away and they start throwing hissy fits. Some days they are good about speaking English in class, other times they could care less about getting in trouble for speaking Korean. There is a lack of respect in the class as well.
I have had Korean teachers come into my class to deal with them, spoken to my Korean co-teacher, etc.
I have moved them around so they cannot sit with their friends. But when I do this they just team up and cause trouble with students that they never talked to before. I have made them write lines, removed from games, sit out in the hallway for 5 minutes and I have talked to them before about their behaviour. Also, my classroom is too small to make them sit all bythemselves.
The co-teacher has also spoken to the students before and their parents. But the parents blame the school and it's all a misunderstanding as their child is an "angel" at home or that is they way he/she is.
Should I just give up on the class or is there some tips someone can give me? Thanks!

[winterfall]

Edit. Sorry I didn't read it all

[n�fara]

One thing that you could do for the phone issue, is to get a box, fancy it up, and then have all 10 students put their cell phones in it in the beginning of class. After class is over they get their phones back.

This way, you're not taking the phones away as a punishment for catching them txting, and they will have no reason to throw a fit. If you do this for every class, it will become habit for them.

[Khenan]

Do what I do - just don't care if they start crying. Alternatively, you could try treating them like the age reflected by their behavior. They tend to get the hint when you start talking to them like a three year old.

[smoggy]

My carnaval class is the same as yours, and I have done the same things as you. I now know that all of the foreign teachers have been pulled out of this class and parents want one teacher for the season. I'm it and I don't have a choice but to teach it. I feel for you.