Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ravel]

I'm barely started and already frustrated. I did some teaching in China, though some of the kids were disruptive, Korean kids seem to be actively defiant. I took a TESL course, and recall the gist of the classroom management material, but so far none of it seems to be working very well. I would hugely appreciate any real world advice about how to deal with this age group. The young ones are for te most part are very sweet and as is natural easily distracted. Some of the middle school students on the other hand are outright disrespectful, mouthy, and rude. Any positive suggestions?

[laogaiguk]

[plato's republic]

Be firm, be authoritative, make sure they understand that you are in control, don't stand for any rude or offensive remarks or gestures. Discipline them whenever necessary and reward them for good work/behaviour. Sometimes bribing them with candy works wonders. Otherwise explain your situation to your Korean co-workers and the director. If they are unwilling to help, then do whatever works best for you.

Whenever I send a kid out of class for bad behaviour, the Korean teachers are always asking why, why, why? Last week, one of them barged in on my class and asked why poor little *insert name* was standing outside in the hallway with his hands on his head. I explained that he was out there because of his disruptive behaviour in class and had been repeatedly warned of the consequences before I threw him out. She told me he had to come back into the classroom. I told her that he would only come in when I asked him to and that if she didn't like it then she could teach my lesson for me. She soon shut up after that.

[Mills]

Rolled-up newspaper, seriously. If you whack it against a desk it's loud and gets everyone's attention. A smack on the head appears quite viscious, but only does temporary damage.

[some waygug-in]

Be firm, but not angry.

This is easier said than done.........believe me I know.

The trick is to have them think you are angry, but don't let it get to the point where you actually have to lose your cool. It's a hard thing to do if you're in a classroom full of twirps who won't do anything.

One thing I try and do is stay on the main instigator.......keep asking him or her all the questions, don't let up. It doesn't help much if they are all disruptive though.

The best thing is to have activities that get them interested....again..not so easy.

A game like Typhoon can be useful, but playing too many games is not helpful either.

Remember, they are just kids and they are trapped in this living hell "Korean edumifucation system", so it's natural for them to want to rebel against it.

When I think of my French classes back home..........Korean kids ain't so bad. But it's still not easy.

Hang in there. Just getting to know the kids can help also.

[Yu_Bum_suk]