Korean Job Discussion Forums

[khyber]

I think there may be a couple threads about this already....but i have been inspired.

I had started a thread about a wack new teacher at our school (so our school hired a drunk...).
He's quitting the school b/c he feels that the students are uncontrollable.

Now, I'm trying hard to comprehend this. We've had two teachers go through the school already and they haven't complained about ALL the students (there have been a couple individually BAD students...but as a whole, they're alright). My students are great. I mean, i have a couple classes that are a bit rowdy...and one class of 3 middle school boys (THREE!!!!) that i can't control.
As i see it, my students are acting their age...a bit chatty but nothing overly obnoxious AND they are very responsive to (90%) of my disciplans.

The new guy seems to think that all the students in the school are a problem. He's complained about students in other hagwons too. It was big issue for him.
Before he started teaching, he said, "I really worried about discipline..i mean, what are the kids like in the school"....
my reply was, a very reasonable: "Well, some of them can be a bit chatty, and there are a couple that will grate you, but for hte most part, they are like any other hagwon kids."
Seemed reasonable; i had no reason not to think it was true.
Yesterday after work he said, "Why didn't you tell me the kids were all annoying little "sheets" that don't shut up".

I don't think he's come to the realization that discipline in the classroom is 90% teacher's personality 10%student (IHMO anyways...). A teacher (IMO) has to adapt to a classes personality; and of course, he has to have some kind of initial plan (eg: on my first day...we make rules...then every day for the next 3 weeks we practice them until they remember)..and work with that (rewards, punishments..et.al.). He has nothing. No idea, hardly even a conception that discipline remains virtually solely in the teachers hands. It's beyond him.

ANYWAYS...to make the post shorter: I want to ask you, those of you that have taught at different hagwons, have you noticed STARK differences in student behaviour (all things considered; ie. small city-big city...etc) from school to school?
The last teacher said that there was a difference but it was very general and would have happenned in any school.

I've only been at this hagwon, so i don't know what to expect...but i must say that these students are all average. It also depends (for me) on what kinds of lessons you're putting forward...and student personality et. al.

Anyway...opinions?




i want to thank everyone for letting me vent and for being so patient with my (coming) complaints in this and other threads)

[rapier]

Looks like I'm on a roll here responding to Khyber posts...
I have to agree with the general lack of discipline in hagwons, that can present a problem.
However, as you say, the personality of the teacher actually accounts for a large part of the behavior of a class- as well as his/her lesson planning and general ability.
It also takes time for the kids to become used to a teacher and settle into a comfortable routine. They're always like headless chickens for the first 2 weeks or so...
The guy you mention on the other thread sounds like he could do with a basic course in esl teaching. Contrary to popular belief, its not an easy job that anybody can do...my CELTA course taught me a lot of basic do's and don'ts. Common mistakes that I've seen teachers doing again and again...
The seeming chaos of Korean hagwons can be good, because it forces you to become an entertaining and dynamic teacher to win your classes respect and interest. Drilling 10 sentences over and over to a class of bored kids is sooo not what teaching is all about.
Re: discipline: If the kids like you, your sense of humor, and sense that you like and are interested in them,- then the respect and obedience usually follows, without being forced.

[Crois]

Maybe you should start your own Blog about this...

[khyber]

hey yeah....blogs...i've been curious about doing one of those
The problem is that every forum i type in, people complain about my rancid grammar and inability to string together a purty sentence.
I like telling stories and i got a LOT of them, but (internet) people complain a lot about my sheet.
Anyone know a good place to set up a blog?

[Crois]

I have to admit that I was going to say that you were complaining alot but then somebody mentioned who gives a s hit about people complaining just dont reply etc.

But i'd thought I'd write something positive this time so not to make your judgement of other Daves cafe users worse...

[rapier]

talking of students behavior, I think I've finally come up against one for whom NOTHING works.. quite an awesome challenge.!
She's a middle school girl, dippy and silly as they come, talks constantly, loudly, totally ignores me and talks over me the whole time. Immune even to the best efforts of Korean teachers... I can't even make the lesson more interesting by introducing games, because the other students can't hear my instructions above the sound of her voice....
I can't do any of the following:- kick her out, touch, verbally abuse, or otherwise discipline her... If I try to shut her up by making her feel stupid, the parents will complain of insults... The only thing that forces her to actually read the syllabus in any way is if I sit next to her, shouting out the reading at full bell into her face, after a while she eventually resents the close intrusive proximity of the teacher and starts to follow the lesson...
Incredible. if I was spiderman, she'd be my nemesis Lex luther. A 100% lesson wrecker...takes my breath away!!!!!
After almost 2 years, she finally wins the award of worst ever student. Unbeatable!!!!

[peppermint]

Rapier,

Have you tried harnessing the power of peer pressure? Make it clear that the other students are missing out on games and fun because of her, and chances are they'll take care of it.

[rapier]

[The Lemon]

[Gwangjuboy]