Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SPINOZA]

Today a co-teacher remarked that I seem to talk to the girls more than the boys. In this particular class she was right, because the girls were far more energetic, interested and kept asking me questions and requiring my attention.

However, sometimes, when I drift into autopilot, I can well imagine that I talk to the girls more. I don't know why. It's something subconscious. I'll try not to let it happen in future, but instinctively I gravitate more towards talking with female students. All the students I know especially well are girls and 90% of the students in my overtime classes are girls.

See the above poll and give your honest answer. Obviously we should devote equal attention to both girls and guys, but this isn't a should question, it's an actually do question. What about the autopilot moments, your instincts you don't actually control?

[peppermint]

I talk to the boys a lot more than the girls, butI'm usually saying something along the lines of "sit down and shut up!". Not sure why, but preteen boys here seem to go into an attention ho phase. Do they do that at home too?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

'I'm a male teacher and I tend to talk to girls more' ... because, 100% of my students are girls.

You may want to limit this poll to teachers who teach at mixed schools.

[crazylemongirl]

Now that I've taught boys for two years, I graviatate to the boys. Mostly because I know what they like to talk about (death, killing, soccer, and insults). I'm not sure what girls like to talk about.

[the_beaver]

The guys. No worry about someone recieving the wrong message.

[SPINOZA]

[Ya-ta Boy]

It's a well known fact that as a group, females are easier to teach. One reason is that they are more mature, meaning fit better into the classroom situation...sit still, etc. In terms of language learning, females are, as a group easier to teach because they tend to be better at languages. (Whether it is societal or genetic, I couldn't care less.)

I know when I taught high school back home, I was pretty darn fair in the distribution of time. I know this because I still get letters in roughly equal numbers from both males and females.

That being said, in Korea I prefer to teach males, so I am in a boys high school at the moment. Before this, I was in another all-male environment. I just find it harder to deal with the 'shyness/giggliness' quotient of Korean girls. I am not a fan of adolescent angst, of either sex (having gotten my fill back home) but I am accustomed to the male version of it.

I am heartened that your co-teacher even noticed. My co-teacher makes no bones about calling exclusively on the cutest guys in class and deliberately ignoring the weaker/less cute guys. When asked about it, she said why not? I think this goes a long way in explaining why parents give money to teachers to 'take care of' their kid.

[Mills]

I have my class set-up like this;



I walk around a lot and talk to everyone equally (excluding the bottom feeders, who I harass regularly).

[spike.matt]

I would definitely say that the girls are the majority in my classes probably 70 percent to 30 percent, and of that, the girls are more likely to approach me to ask me about something. Im a fairy friendly smily, teddy bear kinda guy, soft around the edges and I think that's naturally attractive (not in a sexual way) to young girls, and to a lesser extent the young boys. The boys take more time to get over the being reserved with teachers at first, but when they do, their more inclined to attack me, and not talk to me. attack in a good way if that's possible.

I think that the natural tendency to gravitate towards the opposite has something to do with the fact that our own sex irritates us sometimes. I find the giggling girls hilarious, but the fighting boys annoying, and frustrating to deal with sometimes. That said, if a student is interested in learning, and truly is excited about being taught, their gender doesnt even enter my mind, it's truly a pleasure having just one student like that.

[schwa]

Kids are very sensitive to favoritism, whether you know youre doing it or not. They can & do complain.
Strive to be egalitarian.

[tomato]

Another necessary precaution:

Be sure to look at students on both sides of the room.
If you're right-handed, you are more likely right eye dominant.
Be sure to look at students on the left side of the room, too.

For left-handed people, it's the reverse.

[memorabilis]

Pre-adolescent girls are better behaved than boys..... Have you completely lost your marbles?!? Teeny-bopper girls have to be among the meanest, back-stabbing individuals to walk the earth.

When it comes to younger students (like 5 - 10), yes girls are certainly easier to manage. The boys get so out of hand. But give me boys in the 11 - 15 category any day of the week over their female counterparts. But on the whole, I'd rather not have any of them. Just the wee ones and the adults.

[weatherman]

It is not that cut and dry. Sure female student are usually better with the language. (usually!); And being male, they are easier on the eyes. (usually!). But teaching is about respect for your students and respecting the male students and female students is 100% a given. The real keeners in my classes are usually the men, and the lookers, wow, wow, wow.. bring a extra step to my gate in the dymanics of it all.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Studies have been done showing that teachrs also call on the better looking students and those with 'good' names. Hermione does not get as many opportunities to take part in class ans Lisa does.

[ilovebdt]