Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Hotpants]

Most new teachers (and experienced ones!) can often find classroom management really challenging. Yet, especially in Korea, there are few people at hand to help us out. What if you need a bit of expert guidance?...

I just came across these online series of broadcasts which contain professional advice about how to manage certain types of students. I think it's really helpful for any new teacher. If you want to watch, here is a program from the series which focuses on noise control, student praise and voice pitch:
http://www.teachers.tv/strandProgrammeVideo.do?strandId=1&transmissionProgrammeId=279797

[PRagic]

Save yourself some time:

Keep in mind that most universities have an att. policy.

Suggestion 1 (for large classes at universities):

If they are loud, simply stand quietly in front of the room until they are quiet. If they don't quiet down, leave and go to your office. This counts as a 'missed day' for all students in the class. Never lose your temper.

Suggestion 2 (for smaller classes)

Give the 'problem students' ONE warning. If they persist, tell them to leave the room. No compromising. Leave. This counts as a 'missed day' for all dismissed students. Feel free to kick out as many as one or groups as large as ten.

'Classroom management technique' is highly over rated here. The fact is, students that speak when you are speaking are being utterly disrespectful in the Korean context. Don't take it. A Korea teacher would never face this problem. Stay strict, and never lose your cool. You'll prevail and get the respect of your other students. If nothing else, all will get the point.

[rothkowitz]

As a guide I compare how they'll respond or act with me,with how they would respond or act with a Korean teacher.

They know how to behave and what the repurcussions are for being rude or disrespectful to the teacher.

End of story.They get off light anyways,I don't carry a "love stick"

[harryh]

One thing works for me:

If for example, a student throws an eraser in class, I ask them if they did that in the korean teachers classes. Usually, they say no, then I ask them "Why do you do it in my class?"

For some reason, they seem to calm down a lot.

Also, as someone else mention, just stand still and don't say anything, just stare around at the students, whilst not looking happy (without getting angry).

Eventually, more often than not, the class settles down.

Also, if a student speaks when you are speaking, STOP giving instructions etc. Again, just stare at the student in question.

In korea, a lot depends on the support from the Korean DOS, as if punishment isn't carried out, DOS is weak etc, it will be a lot more difficult to control the class, as the students will know that 'they can get away with murder'.

Also, from my experience (from what I've seen here), getting angry can TEMPORARILY get order, but doesn't solve the problem, and possible makes things worse in the long run. Also, it increases the stress, as I've noticed with foreign co-teachers in recent years.

[kermo]

I completely agree about the never-losing-your-cool but I've definitely seen Korean teachers in front of a chatty class. My old co-teacher had trouble with class-room management even though he roared and slapped kids, while another was utterly respectful with the kids, and had them eating out of his hand.

Yelling doesn't help. Echo/clap-and-repeat patterns until EVERYONE is quiet and compliant are a good tactic. "Son deuro!" (arms in the air!) can help in drastic situations.

Once you have their attention, you must proceed with the lesson that a) they can understand and b) moves smoothly from one activity to another. Often a "classroom management" problem is actually a lesson structure problem, and you're better off not worrying about what they think of you.

[Woland]

Kermo's right. The best cure for classroom management problems is good teaching - making sure that lessons have a point, that students know what they are doing and what they will learn from it, that the lesson is paced well (no letting groups sit idle too long because they've finished quickly), and good review of the activity to give students feedback on their performance.

Punitive approaches are going to be less successful overall, I think. They actually encourage resistance, both in the immediate context of your class and in terms of long term interest in learning the language. You may eventually get them to sit down, shut up and sullenly obey, but they won't necessarily learn.

[PRagic]

The 'lesson structure' problem can be true for newer teachers, and that is a great point. However, in the immediate situation, one has to take action. Reflect once the class has finished.

[riley]

I also agree that sometimes the problem is because of the lesson, sometimes the lesson is confusing, or hard, or too easy. Keep an eye out for this and simply find ways of changing/modifying your lesson and goals of the unit. I think it can happen to any teacher, new or old, when you use a new lesson or have a new class. Just be patient.

[ilovebdt]

If anyone wants to brush up on their classroom management skills, the Seoul chapter of KOTESOL is doing a workshop conference on that very subject!

Here is a link to their site: www.kotesol.org/seoul

Ilovebdt

[some waygug-in]

Those things are all well and fine when you are dealing with university students. In a hagwan situation........it's a completely different story.

I have some classes that I simply can't do anything with. I can stand at the front all day and not say anything......they will simply not notice.
I can get angry and scream at them.... that may get their attention for a minute or two, but it usually leaves me feeling drained, more angry and frustrated, especially when they simply ignore me again and go back to whatever they are doing.

Are the lessons a problem? Yes, partly perhaps, but then I am not allowed to do too much outside of the "textbook". And I have to add that I have different classes respond well to certain lessons and other classes not so well. (same lesson, same teacher, same approach) It's far too easy to say, " the teacher is bad" or "the lesson is boring".
The reality is that some things work with some groups, but not with others.
Also, some groups may respond well on some days, but not on others.
It really depends on what is going on in the students' lives, how tired they are, whether or not they are willing to give me their attention for 50 minutes. These are things that I can't control, and no matter how well prepared my lessons may be.........they will fail if the students aren't in the mood for learning.

[kermo]

[some waygug-in]

I am not disagreeing with you. I'm sorry if my post gave that impression.

These techniques are very valid and useful and I would like to use more of them.

However, with regards to getting creative......... the director won't even allow me to bring a pop song type lesson into the class. The most I'm allowed to do is bring in some crosswords or wordsearches.

I've had limited success with jeopardy or other quizz type games in other classes, but not with these problem groups. They refuse to do anything that might involve communication and will only agree to play mindless card games that they can play in Korean.

[Hotpants]

Well, did anyone actually watch the video link??

Have you ever noticed that the best teachers also happen to be the ones who are never shouting? When I realised that I don't need to shout to control students, I became much better at my job. Reasoning is much better than a barrage of one-sided insults.

[kermo]

[Yu_Bum_suk]