Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Los Angeloser]

I have the answer, but why doesn't MOE?
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2012/04/117_108515.html
"For instance, a female teacher in her 20s at a Seoul middle school was verbally abused by a male student when she tried to break up a fight in late March. The teacher told the students to go to a detention center but one of them swore at her repeatedly. Since then, she has become indifferent to troubles among pupils and afraid to teach in class."

"The association[Korean Federation of Teachers� Association (KFTA)] also said last month, a middle school girl assaulted a female teacher who was scolding her for chatting in class. The teacher surnamed Lim asked the student to be quiet about five minutes before the class was over. Instead of following her instructions, the girl cursed and swore at the teacher."

"Lim hit the girl on the head twice with a blackboard eraser. The pupil then slapped the teacher on the cheek about 20 times and kicked her in the thigh several times. Lim sustained injuries that required 10 days of treatment."

Teacher 'Lim' should be fired if after being warned she continues hitting students.

On the other hand, if a student simply won't listen and verbally/physically abuses the teacher then suspend the student. Upon returning to the school, expel the student if it continues. It's not rocket science. The easy 'A's, 'B's, 'C's, and 'D's can't be handed out like candy either(like a student ever receives a 'D' hah!). And finally, give the 'F' and hold back or flunk the student at years end when he/she doesn't meet school grade requirements or standards. But, this would require teachers to provide students test scores on a prompt manner so they know when/where they need to improve.

[YTMND]

It's not clear what position you are taking. Are you saying something isn't being done about the teacher or students?

I think the teachers need to set the example first of no violence. Walk softly, carry a big stick. Warnings should be given, it doesn't seem like the teacher did this. If there is detention (I have never seen this during my time in Asia, but good if it is there) then a polite "see you in detention" should suffice. After that, if the student doesn't show up (likely), they have a talk with the principal (more likely vice principal). Another warning is given higher up the chain. During this time no erasers are thrown, no physical contact is made, etc...

If it is a classroom management thing instead of one student being bad, then I kick the worst one out of class and use them as the example. So far, the rest of the class seems to wise up after that. I usually get a written apology from the student I kicked out and they are part of the class next time I teach that class.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

The answer is so simple: stop passing the kids if they don't earn it.

[luckylady]

[Stan Rogers]

Teacher's authority? What's that?

[WI-Do]

[Mix1]

[Mix1]

[itiswhatitis]

My little sister taught in Korea for 4 years at an elementary/middle school hagwon. She couldn't beleive how much bullying she saw by Korean middle school girls (yes girls).

She has many stories but this is her most famous:

A big middle school girl would always poke and shove a tiny middle school girl. My sister got the finger when she told her to stop. She then told her director and the director's reply was that it was her classromm and she would have to find a way to control it!!!

One day my sister lost it and took her in the hallway and yelled (pretty much at the top of her lungs) for her to leave the poor girl alone. The bully looked stunned for a second or two and then looked very angry and started saying Korean and English swear words to my sister/giving her the finger. The director overheard the yelling and came to see what was going on.

All he did was tell my sister and the girl to go back in the classroom.

The end result of my sister taking a stand???

The bully laid off for the rest of the class and was back at it the next day. My sister had 6 months left in Korea at this point and thought whatever. As an aside, I suspect that she also worried about her own personal safety.

[zombiedog]

Korea has so abused the concept of education that it has rotted to the core. As long as "the test is God" mentality remains foremost in the minds of Koreans there will be nothing but dysfunction. I am a hagwon teacher, and I know I am arguing against my own best interests. Also I know that by participating in this insanity that I am part of the problem. But the fact remains education is a sickness in Korea, and it will remain so until Koreans someday wake up to the reality of their own situation.

[lithium]

Students cower if they think I may be upset. You have to earn their respect. Being 230 lbs of pure muscle helps also.

[yfb]

Congratulations. You ban the love stick, and this is the result. How could anyone be surprised?

[luckylady]

[Times30]

I belive the entire stystem is corrupt due to the fact that policy makers easily bend to the voters.... aka parents. Because parents are delussional to believe that ACTUALLY discipling their kid will ruin them (thanks pop psychology) they would rather run the risk of an overconfident smug brat, than an orderly member of society.

Thus any hotshot politician/principal/beauracrat will jump at the chance to show that he is "on the side" of the parents. Then we have a whole bunch of policies in place to stop teachers from doing... anything....

God forbid we have authority over children, who have only a few years of experience in this world and believe that things like yo-yos and pokemon are keys to their survival...

Everything has pretty much gone downhill since the late 1950's. The entire global culture is suffering and it's because people don't have VALUES anymore. Values towards society, being a good citizen. It's all about me me, My child is the golden child, we're the victim... all this "stuff".

[jvalmer]