Korean Job Discussion Forums

PatrickBateman · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 12:18 am Post subject: Question about discipline...

I'm only bringing this up because of a situation that happened last week.

What can you do in terms of discipline at your school? At ours, we have very little leverage. It has become somewhat frustrating, so I'm wondering what techniques work best for you?

Also, you're never really told where 'the line' is when it comes to touching the kids. I'm not talking about harming them, but I always thought that you're not supposed to touch them in any manner. I asked my friend who teaches at a different academy and he told me he has no problem picking a kid up and moving them.

Of course you're not supposed to hit a child, but what do you do when they're not reacting to anything vocal and continue to disrupt the classroom?

Example.... This kid was holding on to his book that I told him to give me, he was holding on to it rather tight. Now, if I rip the book away from the kid, he's going to go flying with the book. Would I be at fault for that?

I guess what I'm asking is, where is the line? What can you/can't you do?

Also, do the parents usually side with the school or the child?

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

Can't touch the kids? We're in Korea, not the States. I've never heard of anything like that here. My kids are all over me all day, kinders and elementary.

ChilgokBlackHole · Joined: 21 Nov 2009

Pick up the chair, with the student in it. Move it where you want it to be. Put it down.

laguna · Joined: 27 Jun 2010

Louis VI · Joined: 05 Jul 2010 Location: In my Kingdom

PatrickBateman · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 3:54 am Post subject:

No don't get me wrong, I play around with them and they jump on me etc, but that's not what I'm getting at.

Our director told us we're no longer allowed to kick the student out of class.

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

cricketnut · Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Location: Changwon

I'd advise anyone on here to be careful about touching kids..

I'm not sure about when things are going well..

but when things are heated...Don't touch them.

First of all tell the kid to leave if it's getting bad (eg moving them/embarrassing them/threatening extra homework etc hasn't worked)

say something like "5 minutes" of "Obun" in Korean if it's younger classes.

That way, the kids understanding you only want them to lave for short time..not indefintely. Sometimes they will leave..if they don't..then get the korean teacher. At that point...say something like "I'll love to continue teaching this class once johnny is outside the class talking to you"
to the korean teacher. This is where you really want a korean teacher to back you up..some will..some won't. I had an experience where at that point the korean teacher started asking open questions to the offender, still seated, (rolls eyes) and no joke..the rest of the 15 mins of the class
was the korean teacher and offender talking LOL. Luckily the other korean teachers at the school understood about just getting the kid out of the class so I can continue my teaching.

Once the kid is outside, try to settle the class and try moving on..and importantly..at some point as for the kid back.

cricketnut · Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Location: Changwon

son of coco · Joined: 14 Mar 2008

If the kids get really bad then I just chuck them out too. I don't see the point in wasting time on one student when the others are there being good and ready to do something in English.

Your director not allowing this sucks, maybe chuck yourself out and tell him/her you'll be happy to go back in when something's done about the disruptive student.

Also found pointing out to students of a higher level that I get paid to stand there and do nothing if they want to waste time, while they're paying to waste time, works ok too.