Korean Job Discussion Forums

[electriclife]

Today the long running disagreement I've had with one of my co-teachers finally erupted into the classroom. Eventually, we shouted at each other in front of the kids and the head English teacher was called in. However, at the end of it, I was the person who remained in the classroom and finished the lesson.

I teach in a high school. These are not small children. When I came to Korea I was ambivalent about corporal punishment. I had been spanked plenty of times when I was a child and although I regarded it as unpleasant, I had neither a positive or negative view on it, because I had no real view as to whether or not it was an effective disciplinary strategy. After watching it in action for the past year, I have come to the strong conclusion that it is an absolutely ineffective, harmful practice that is rightfully ILLEGAL, in my own country as well as Korea. This is my story.

I am currently teaching under a GEPIK contract and I am 11 months and 1 week into my contract. In this time I have seen this teacher do many things. He has hit every student in a class sequentially with a metal rod. He has slapped a male student hard enough to make him cry silently in class for 30 minutes. He has hit a girl student on the soles of her feet with a metal rod so hard she couldn't walk for 10 minutes, and could only limp to the next classroom.

It was after these events that I told him that either he would have to stop hitting kids or something would happen to him. I am a large man. I am 6'4", 210 pounds, so this was not an idle threat. He stopped hitting kids for approximately three months. Lately he has been trying to hit them again, even at one point bringing out the metal rod. I glared at him long enough that he put the rod away, at that time. However, lately he has been trying to bring corporal punishment back into the classroom.

He insists that it is a friendly gesture to hit him, and I maintained that whether it was friendly or not, hitting of any kind is not permitted in my classroom. He asked if it was my classroom, he also asked if I was the owner of the classroom. I responded "Yes" to each question. I teach in a public school, and in my regard I am the sole responsible teacher in the classroom at any given time. I am here to teach English and I will fulfill my duties as required. Hitting kids and berating them for 30 minutes does not allow me to fulfill my duties. When disciplining takes an entire class, I am not teaching. When disciplining for a failure to study, do homework, or do well on a test, I see the same students fail again and again, regardless of punishment, then too, I am not teaching. When this teacher acts in such a way, I cannot teach at all. Therefore, this teacher's actions have no place in any classroom, let alone mine.

I would like to ask every English teacher here to please reconsider your stance on corporal punishment in the classroom. I have seen what I consider to be extremely despicable actions which have resulted in nothing greater than the infliction of pain. There has been no learning, no change in behaviour, due to this and I hope that you carefully consider whether or not violence towards a child really solves anything. I have gotten much further with kindness and understanding, but a kindness and udnerstanding backed by firmness and inflexibility. There are rules and breaking the rules has consequences, but there are many ways to punish effectively without damaging a child's body or torturing their mind.

When I have taught with kindness, firmness and a knowledge that children are products of their genetics and environments, I have seen even disobedient children learn well in a properly structured environment with clear objectives, rules and roles. When a situation is clearly presented to children, or people of any age, when they understand what is expected, then they will inevitably rise to the occasion, provided it is humanly possible. I think that this is the only effective way to teach. Although it requires more thought to think about this, most likely more thought than is required to prepare your day-to-day materials, I believe this mindset is essential to effective teaching.

This contravenes quite highly with the ideas of one of my co-teachers (I have three, two of whom I do not have a problem with) Today he was attempting to restart his casual culture of violence and I intervened, quietly and calmly, which escalated into a struggle for control over the classroom. I put it down simply that in no way was he going to have control, since I sat and watched him casually destroy children for six months. At that time I decided that such behaviour would no longer continue. After the head teacher was called in, he and I had a casual chat about the differing cultures and I patiently explained my views. I also mentioned several times that it was illegal to do so to the kids. The head teacher agreed with me, (he is one of my co-teachers and does not strike the students) but he maintained that it was traditional and that culturally it was a common occurrence. I agreed that this is the case, but in my classroom such activities are not permitted. He said that he would talk to the other teacher later, we finished talking, and I re-entered the classroom. Upon re-entering, the teacher asked me what had transpired, obviously hoping that I had been chastised for my behaviour. I explained to him that the head teacher would have a conversation with him later. He then sarcastically replied that I should lead the lesson since I am the owner of the classroom. I agreed, started teaching, and he left the classroom. I finished the lesson, the students listened to me, I had zero problems with discipline, and the lesson finished. Afterwards, the co-teacher re-entered the classroom, whereupon I left.

Please take this post as something to think about when you are teaching, when you are living here, and when you are living your life. Sometimes it's necessary to take a stand. Regardless of culture, there are universal human truths that lie deep within our biology. Ignoring this is the pinnacle of stupidity. Ignoring the common thread all humans share is a true sign of a poorly educated individual. Cultural differences can explain some things, but willfully damaging a sentient individual under your power is the definition of evil. I was not raised in a non-violent household, and I do not propose that people practice pacifism in their daily lives. I easily see the utilitarian nature of a military, of wars and fighting. However, a classroom is not a war zone and violence is not appropriate in such a place. If you are defending your home, expanding your territory, or struggling to survive, these activities require the use of force. Teaching does not.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Goku]

Some parts I agree with,

however, with the conclusion, I disagree.

Culture and morality are intertwined. Yes there are some basic principles of morality that all humans share, but corporal punishment is certainly not one of them.

It's still a technique by which to enforce and model proper behavior. While the means maybe what we deem unacceptable, it has been enforced worldwide by many cultures in many forms.

What makes it immoral is the idea that by creating physical harm, we are encouraging it. This is a debatable point I can agree with. However, for lack of any other behavior management system, CP is one of the few tools a teacher has at his disposal to correct bad behavior.

Otherwise, bad habits can snowball into truly destructive future behavior. Some students will still be bad even with CP, but there are some students that are kept in line because they don't want to be smacked with a ruler.

The effecitveness can be debated, but taking a critical look at it, we should realize that sometimes standing in front of the class is not enough, or being yelled at is not enough. Sometimes it takes real physical conditioning to elicit the emotional response to stop improper behavior.

[asmith]

I firmly believe that the children should be beaten. Futhermore, they should be beaten as often as humanly possible.

However, this Korean teacher shouldn't use a metal rod.

He needs to replace that instrument of destruction with a sturdy frying pan, an umbrella, and/or a rather large wooden spoon.

[andrewchon]

I agree with Goku. For those who understand the culture of coporal punishment, they know that stronger the hit, stronger is the love. For those who don't understand, it does come across as barbaric. Does it make it an institutionalized violence? Yes, then again, so is any contact sport.

[greasypeanut]

[Clockout]

tl;dr but

-Tell the head-teacher and see what happens.

-Tell the principal and see what happens.

-Call the police and see what happens.

Either they will address the issue or they will ignore it. If they ignore it then you have to take a look at yourself and ask if Korea is the place for you.

[romano812]

I worked in a primary school for GEPIK and almost ebery teacher had a drum stick on their desk that was used to hit children. One of my co-teachers would hit the children and would even make them hit themselves in the face. I didn't agree with it, but not my country not my place. When I have problems with students I send them out of the room for the day. I'm not their parent, I'm not their babysitter.

[thoreau]

[Moldy Rutabaga]

This is an interesting test case in relative morality. Is it right to condone behavior that you think is reprehensible when it's another culture's norms?

I guess being a practicalist, I would not chase windmills. I actually think there are acceptable forms of corporal punishment for students. However, this is clearly extreme and suggests that the co-teacher is a poor instructor and covers up his lack of ability by taking it out on his students. I hope this monster doesn't have children of his own.

The OP is right to take a stand, I think, and he's got pretty strong nerves to be rocking the boat in the 11th month of his contract. But I would not threaten the co-teacher with violence as it might result in you being fired or arrested. I would simply say that if he does it again I will report it to the school, and I will take pictures on my cell phone for evidence, possibly for the parents. Some parents support corporal punishment, but some will not and those people are a possible ally for putting heat on this "teacher."

Ken:>

[kabrams]

My co-teacher is not allowed to hit any students in my class, but then again, we're naturally not that kind of teacher.

Also, some of the kids are bigger than me and I would probably have my backside handed to me -_-;

[Moldy Rutabaga]

[lifeinkorea]

It doesn't matter if the student is big or small, they will test the limits. Today I screamed in a student's face and the kids just laughed. When I went back up to the front of the class though, everyone behaved much better than they were before.

At this school, I have never seen a student being hit. If they know that being hit is the punishment, they will act out just up until the point they would get hit.

This sends a mixed signal. The teacher will obviously see this, and then hit when a lesser crime has been committed. The student will wonder why they were punished "too early". They won't fully understand the reason for the punishment, just that the teacher will hit when they choose.

I think you should break up the class into sections and work work with one section, let the others misbehave during this time. This is their "free time", be strict with the group you are teaching and maintain order. Then finish other sections. You will see over time, the students will learn to expect this free time in exchange for good behavior when you are practicing with them.

I don't see much point in trying to teach them all at once and enforcing good behavior across the board.

[oldfatfarang]

Well done OP. You made the stand that many need to take in this country.
I defy any Western 'teacher' on this board to disagree that beating defenceless children with a metal rod, piece of wood, ruler, cane, leather belt, cut off golf club etc, is disciplining a child. Such cruelty can't be defended by cultural norms (in any civilised society). Cruelty and sadism are just that - cruelty and sadism. Only a coward hides their cruelty behind the 'cultural' excuse.

I think any adult inflicting pain, torturing, or beating a child is a piece of ........ They are in fact not an adult, they are cowards and, unfortunately, school systems world-wide seem to attract not only controlling personalities - but also cowards and sadists. I know, I survived violence in my school years that would see those 'teachers' (sadists) in prison nowadays.

Further, I lost a previous PS job in Korea for taking exactly the same stand as the OP, i.e., I wasn't re-newed by a school after I moved out of the teachers' office (after telling the head teacher and teachers concerned that I didn't fly half-way around the world to see adults abusing children). I refused to teach with one male K teacher after he started hitting kids on the head with a stick for forgetting words during a class presentation role play (WTF).

I'm lucky that co-teachers don't hit kids inside (or outside) my classroom in my current school. Although they beat them over in the teachers' office (I also moved out of the teachers' office in this school for the same reason).

Well done. I guess you just lost your job (if you want re-newed), but don't worry about being fired (they have no case to fire anyone in the last contract month).

PS: If this 'teacher' starts hitting the kids in class again - video it on your camera: "Smile for youtube."

Also, you should know that a few years ago a Korean principal committed suicide (in discrace) when it went public that teachers in his school were using harsh corporal punishment.

[CentralCali]

Screaming at each other in front of the kids is unprofessional. Threatening the (other) adult in the classroom is unprofessional and, if the co-teacher really is vindictive, it can get you fired post-haste*. You have a supervisory chain, as does your co-teacher; use it. Complain to the department head, the vice-principal, the principal, the school inspector for your area, and then the superintendent of education for your province/metropolitan city.

A couple of years ago, the Korean Times was reporting on the use of corporal punishment and indicated that "excessive punishment," not corporal punishment itself, is illegal here.

*If the school can document that the employee threatened another employee with violence, then they do have a case for canning him, even in the last month.