Korean Job Discussion Forums

mateomiguel · Joined: 16 May 2005

Here's the story.

See, all of the classrooms in my elementary school are stocked with a series of books called "Why?" They are apparently a set of comic books about life, the universe, and everything. They're in Korean too.

Apparently, one of them is about puberty and the mysteries of life, because it has a series of drawings about the development of b.reasts. This one ten year old girl was reading it, and stumbled upon that drawing, and was scandalized. I think I remember her showing her circle of friends before she came to me. They were all equally scandalized. While I was helping another student, she said, "Teacher, look!" and flashed the page at me for like one second. I just said, "Oh, how beautiful!" because, well, what else are you going to say when confronted by b.reasts in an elementary school?

My student was completely mystified by my response. She immediately ran back to her circle of friends and told them in great detail about how the Teacher had said b.reasts were beautiful. All of the girls were very intrigued. "uhh? beautiful?" I heard like a million times.

I think I did a good thing, right? I mean, giving girls the idea that b.reasts are beautiful will make them happy and proud when they finally get their own, right? The last thing I want to do is fill them with shame and self-loathing...

[edited for *beep*s]

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

Hmmmmm....or you just got a reputation as a pervert. The story could change in the telling. Rolling Eyes

poet13 · Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 1:32 am Post subject:

Dude, you f-ed up. You are an educator, and you carry a tremendous responsibility. Think before you speak next time.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

In a Western view, which is mine, you did the right thing.

I just don't know what the kids will tell their parents or how they will take it.

I once had parents being somewhat angry at me because i played a "game".

What they did not tell their parents is what they were learning during this game ofcourse.

Just be carefull how you explain it and i would tell it to the person responsble for you, trying to explain the situation as clear and detailed as is possible.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

Big deal.

SeniorEnglish · Joined: 18 Jun 2006

Next time just turn your face away and blush, then move on to the next topic. You definately don't want a reputation as a Byon-Tae

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

ulsanchris · Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Location: take a wild guess

while not the worst response it was far from the best. As one person sugested he should have brushed it aside and changed the subject.
people at the students will now think he is a pervert.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

I'd say he was way out of bounds.

We're english teachers, not puberty counsellors. The OP's comment could easily be taken as inappropriate & come back to haunt him, & by association, the rest of us.

Foreign teachers have a special responsibility to be above board at all times.

Homer · Guest

You dropped the ball on this one.

As some have said, you should have waved it off. That comment was out of place in an elementary school and considering your position as an English teacher.

You are not teaching sex Ed now are you?

At any rate, it was a mistake and it just might blow over.

Also, the whole "as a westerner" thing does not fly in this case. As a teacher you have responsabilities, westerner or not.

ChopChaeJoe · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Location: Seoul

I wouldn't worry about it.

Pretty creepy subject title though.