I just finished my second day of teaching and I made it out alive. Okay, it wasn’t that serious but it was tiring. I was exhausted yesterday; I forgot how much energy kids take. I’ve also never had a job where I had to be “on” all day. No time for secretly Im’ing friends, online shopping or just plain slacking on the job. I guess that’s a good thing.
I have to teach roughly 4-6 classes a day depending on the day of the week. When I got here, I found out that I was going to be a kindergarten teacher because one of the teachers had just given her 2 week notice to leave. So, I got switched from middle school to kindergarten. I quickly learned that I would be teaching a “real” kindergarten class when I went through the orientation. I was prepared to teach elementary and middle school kids english after they finished up with their Korean school but the kindergarten program entails teaching english, music, drama, math, phonics, science and art. Korean schools start with first grade so some parents choose to send their kids to english kindergarten school so they can get a head start on learning english. Of course everything always sounds much easier than it actually is so I thought I could do it no problem.
However, the problem lies in teaching kids these subjects when the only english they know how to say is hello. They all know how to sing the ABC song but when you point to say a P in the alphabet, they go, “C”! Another thing that we have to do is give them “english” names. A few of the children are able to grasp the concept of my korean name vs my english name but most of them just stare at you blankly when you call their english name. I can’t have half blame them because if someone just started calling me Han Ming one day, I would look at he/she crazy too. The other teachers tell me that one day they just ”get it” and start to answer to their english name.
They are really cute though and extemely respectful of their elders. They bow to me whenever they have to leave the classrooom to go to the bathroom. But I’ve heard that once they get more comfortable with the teacher, the mischievious side comes out a little in some of them. Today, one little girl was fascinated by my hair. While I was helping one of the students with a word, she kept lifting my hair up and down. I kept trying to tell her no but she would still try and lift it up. I’m sure I am the first black person all of them have seen which breeds curiousity.
So far being a teacher is fun but I’ll have to wait and see if I feel the same way after preparing my 100th lesson plan…
Wow i can’t believe you HAVE to call them by their english name, that’s wild. How many kids do you have???? Oh and speaking of hair, where are you going to get it done in Korea?
Welcome tot he wonderful world of teaching. Hang in there. Focus on the funny and heart-warming moments and you’ll enjoy it all much more.
Tania – The classes are really small. They avg from 4-12 students each class. I prolly teach around 65 kids because I also teach 2 elementary and 1 middle school class in the afternoon. Remember I told you that I found this other black girl here in Seoul that recommended a salon to me so I will just go there. It’s in the “western” part of town.
Cliff – Thanks for the advice; I’m sure the heart-warming moments will be priceless..
I know it’s not Watts, but here’s what the teachers at Markham would advise: You are now in the honeymoon period, which will wear off w/ the kids in apx. 1-3 months. Faster w/ the older kids than w/ the younger kids. For the older kids, for this first month: do not smile. This is a lot harder than it sounds, especially since this is the time period when they will behave their best and it’s hard not to reward them or approve of them w/ something as simple and instinctual as a smile. Enjoy it; they will never behave this well again.
W/ the lil ones, they’re always going to desire your approval, so smile only when they’re doing what you want. Frown and raise an eyebrow in disapproval when they’re not. Non-verbal communication/body language works really well w/ kids and should definitely help w/ the language barrier. You should be working on a specific “teacher look” of disapproval – something like your mom would give you and you’d immediately know to stop what ever you’re doing. Often, a stern look will work even when verbal communication does not, especially if you don’t want to innterrupt what you’re doing or call the other students’ attention to the inappropriate behavior. (Remember, monkey see, monkey do. Call attention to inappropriate behavior and the next thing you’ll know is they’ll all be doing it. Even if just for the attention.)
Set boundaries, rules, routines, and limits these first two weeks and stick to them (which is really, really hard b/c as a new teacher, you don’t always know what’s going to work and what’s just going to blow up in your face – ask the experienced teachers what works for them).
This goes especially for the lil girl who keeps touching your hair. That needs a firm stop put to it. Not a simple, “No, don’t do that.” But, a specific command. One of Korean speaking teachers needs to tell her – w/ you present so that she knows that it comes from you, too – that, that is inappropriate touching and she is stop immediately. And that if she does not, parents will be called.
The students should know they are to never touch you – ever. Hugs can be given only as approval and should only be given if the student hugs you. (Which seems antithetical to the never touching the teacher rule, but it’s really hard to get the lil ones to not hug you here in the US. Students in middle school or older should simply never touch the teacher, including hugs; it crosses the student/teacher line of respect.)
This sounds harsh, I know. Many teachers balk at it (I did), but that leads to problems. If students feel they can touch you, then it easily leads to inappropriate touching – like hitting out of anger. Especially since they’re going to have trouble verbalizing how they feel to you w/ the language barrier. It’s hard enough for kids whom speak English to verbalize how they feel, rather than act on how they feel. Hitting out of frustration and b/c o not knowing what else to do is instinctual. So, no touching.
Trust me; I let students even just tap my arm to get my attention when doing quiet work. I didn’t even think about it. I didn’t have a spelled out rule against it, but I never said it was or wasn’t ok either. Then by responding to it by giving the student(s) my attention in a positive manner, I made it acceptable. I didn’t even think to tell them that wasn’t ok. I mean they didn’t do anything wrong. They just had a question and tapped my arm. This is one of the reasons students would get so physical w/ me in Watts. I nonverbally said it was ok. Not that your studenst are going to take swings at your face or slam doors on your hip/leg, bu you don’t want them to slap your leg/arm/hand in frustration though either.
Oh yeah, and most likely, the kid who crosses the line physically is not going to be the kid who just innocently touched you, but another kid who saw that you let this girl play w/ your hair and didn’t put a firm and final stop to it. You’re nonverbally saying that it is ok to be physical w/ me even if I am your teacher.
Last thing … Simple proximity works well to stop some mild, off-task behaviors. Like if you’re reading out loud and a student is talking to another student when he/she should be listening to what’s being read. (You should be walking slowly around the room when you or a student is reading out loud.) Walk quietly and slowly to the desk/table at which the off-task student is sitting. Pause and stand there until the student gets back on task/does what they’re supposed to be doing. This takes much longer than will feel comfortable, up to a minute or two. Don’t say anything. Count to 120 in your head. If the student is still off task, tap his/her desk and give your “teacher look.” Hold it ’til the student is on task and then walk away. Don’t say anything.
Proximity might help w/ the whole English names thing, too. I know I’m not there, but I’m doubting the idea that one day they just get their English names. More likely they’re picking the gist up from nonverbal cues. Try calling a student by his/her English name and if he/she stares at you, calling it again while stepping closing to the student. If still not picking up the cue, call it again, step closer still, make direct eye contact and hold it. Call the name again, while maintaining eye contact, and nod your head toward the student, like saying, “Yeah, that’s you.”
Unless they’re taught that it’s disrespectful to look their elders in the eye – a lot of the Latino kids are taught that here in LA. In that case, instead of insisting on eye contact, (You look at the student, but they don’t have to make eye contact back. They’ll usually look downward.), call the English name, step closer and tap their desk/chair/table. Just make sure you tap an object, not the student – so as not to break the no touching unspoken rule.
Ok, I’m going to stop pontificating. I know, I’m a windbag.
Oh the Seoul of black folk blog? i thought that was pretty funny title. Can’t wait to hear of more adventures
“I can’t have half blame them because if someone just started calling me Han Ming one day, I would look at he/she crazy too. The other teachers tell me that one day they just ”get it” and start to answer to their english name. ”
I am just now teaching my first class of super beginners. After almost 3 years in Korea, I have never had the opportunity until now. Everyday I start off with “Who are you?” or “What is your name?” I fold up a name card for the students to place on their desks, so that at least I will know who they are! I have been enjoying reading your blog. Good Luck!
Heather – Korea hasn’t jumped on the bandwagon of students not touching teachers and vice versa. I’ve seen some of the korean teachers initiate hugs and it’s totally acceptable here. The big kids don’t really touch at all since they are older and prolly have no desire to touch their teacher. Thanks for all of the advice!
JR – Yes, little kiddies are totally draining. I have a few elementary and middle school kids and the first day I was with them, I said, “Wow you guys can understand most of what I am saying”. Those classes definitely flow a lot better in the beginning stages. I enjoy your blog as well; when i was in the states I read your blog while I was doing my research on moving here and it helped a lot…
Hee – yeah it’s okay to hug kids in Pakistan too, the teachers are quite affectionate – I think it’s a US thing.