Korean Job Discussion Forums

[weninlome]

Dear Teachers

I read some Educational theory papers, not so long ago, about 2 general areas of learning motivation (short term and long term for want of the correct terminology) ...

my problem being that I sponsor the education and upbringing of 2 orphan children, 6 & 8 years old, taught the same syllabus in the same class but with drastically different results- the younger child is consistently averaging 80+% and the elder around 25%

it's a little difficult getting more information than the occasional scanned report card sent to me, but I have been made aware of the circumstances of their family disintergration (mother died and father disappeared) before the children ever had the chance to start their schooling,

does anyone have any knowledge of a recommended motivational approach for dealing with this kind of scenario?

I'm reluctant to try and influence the educational approach that they are currently given, but would really appreciate some advice as to how I could be approaching my 'distance parenting' frame of mind;
- should I suggest separating the children in the classroom?
- offer the elder child some long term reward for better behaviour and results in class?
- recommend some counselling in order to isolate the learning difficulty?

Any offers of practical advise would be warmly received, either by response or pm.

arohanui,
ko te mea nui

[the_beaver]

Not trying to be snide, but there are so many variables that it's impossible to give any good advice.

[weninlome]

No offence taken, Beaver ...

please allow me to redirect this plea for advice to
- any teachers who have taught orphan children, for an indication of prevalent psychological issues
- those with a theoretical knowledge of 'external?' (long term) motivation of children
- any parent who has had an older child with learning difficulties, outshone by a younger sibling
- any teacher who has encountered/conquered the older/younger scenario

like I said, I'm just trying to get a handle on an educational problem that I haven't personally encountered before, one I would dearly like to understand better -
the children are in Nepal btw.
cheers

[lastat06513]

The difference in mentality between an 8 year old and a 6 year old is significantly in this kind of situation in that the 8 year has had time to develop a mechanism to deal with their respective problem (as the person above mentioned, there are also SO many variables at play here).

I currently live in a place where children are brought up by either a third-party relative (grandmother, aunt or cousin) or in foster care and I know people who were bought up in foster care (not a pretty picture, similar to being in an orghanage in regards to the amount of different children being raised in a single place).

If you are want a way to encourage or motivate them to study hard; Send them a card (have it translated from English to Korean) occasionally telling them you are thinking about them and in turn care about what they do. And if you could, make a supervised appearance and tell them yourself that you are proud of their achievements.

Simple stuff like this will boost their spirits and make them want to study...

[weninlome]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

What nationality are they and where do they live? Suggestions for Korean orphan children would be a lot different from those growing up in American society.

I've done a little volunteer work with Korean orphans / foster kids but none so young that I could provide any help. If they're older any sort of material that gets them interested in learning anything on their own is a big plus.

[weninlome]

[babtangee]

Are you sure it has anything to do with the child's trauma?

My wife taught a brother and sister for a few months. The younger brother excelled, while the older sister grew more and more resentful toward her brother and the lessons, and thus participated less. I think siblings should be taught seperately if at all possible.

[weninlome]

[VirginIslander]

Just out of curiosity, have you ever visited the children? I would love to go and volunteer for several months but a flight to Nepal from Japan is $3,000.

I dated a Nepalise woman throughout college. She used to tell me about
the orphans, and gangs of uneducated, poor kids who would
lurk the streets stealing and begging. Nepal is one of the poorest nations on the world.

Cant offer any advice but it is nice to know that there are people like you who use their also help the people who really need it.

[weninlome]

I haven't yet been or seen them,

shameless plug time http://www.vsnnepal.org/

the agency was refered to me by a friend who volunteered on a program there and since had a lot of contact with volunteers who have looked in on 'my kids' ..

... I'm figuring that overland is the way to get there, via the new Beijing-Llasa rail route & a short airhop across to Kathmandu-

lots of building, teaching, medical work to get on with once I get there- no shortage of willing wanderers based there either...

a chinese friend sent them their new jackets and a kiwi friend knitted them gloves and hats

[ChopChaeJoe]

couple of really cute kids...