I am not sure if I have ever mentioned this about ICC (my last school), but I think it is important to mention now. ICC was a great school because it was half government funded. The school was geared towards students from low income families who needed help in paying the tuition for their children. Half of that money came from the government. This is why so many of the parents were upset that the school was closing, because ICC was a rare school that offered this.The children were not from wealthy families, and as a whole, didn't act like little brats. Sure there were a few students that would act out or be a pain to teach, but most were fairly good.
Here at Daejeon SLP, things are a horse of a different color. My classes are TERRIBLE. Let's forget about the Kindergarten kids for a bit, because they're special in their own way, and just focus on the 3 elementary classes that I teach in the late afternoon- early evening. Each of these classes are about 8-10 kids in total. I have maybe 2 or 3 kids, that are able to sit for most of the class, listen to what I am saying, and get right down to business. The rest of the kids, boys and girls alike (I do have more boys though), are little terrors. The reason for this I expect are 1 or a mix of the following possibilities.
#1} The kids are spoiled. And I say this in all seriousness. These kids are coming from wealthy four people families and are used to mommy and daddy doing everything for them, and not being disciplined for anything. Most hagwons (private schools/academies) in South Korea are very much business oriented and cater to the parents' wishes. Daejeon SLP is definitely no exception to this. I have never had so many complaints in my 1 1/2 years of teaching at ICC as I have had in these first 2 weeks at Daejeon SLP. Parents are incredibly more demanding here and they really go out of their way to make their opinions heard. As it so happens, the Korean co-teachers have to give the parents their PRIVATE cell phone number so that the parents can contact them at anytime, day or night. I feel bad for them (the Korean teachers).
#2} The kids are FULL of energy. And for that I can't really blame them. Their lives pretty much consist of school, school, school and more school. To review, the kids start off their mornings at public school where things are pretty much like they are back home. They learn English, Math, Science, History, Korean, basically everything that we do. The fun stuff happens after 2:30. At 2:30 public school ends, and the kids are whisked off to the first of what may be many, private schools for special tutoring. It is entirely possible that my students could go to up to as many as 3 private schools in one day. It is common to be walking around your neighbourhood at 10 at night and see young children getting into buses to be taken home after a long day of schooling. I have even heard that kids bully other kids if they do not attend private school or if they are not smart. Some parents don't even let their children play with other children who aren't as smart as theirs. I strongly feel that with all the time these kids spend in different schools, that they don't have enough time to run around outside and release some of the pent up energy that they have. Therefore, they bring it to class, where teachers like me, have to deal with them flailing their arms around, talking while I am talking, distracting other students, not paying attention, and just basically being rude and disrespectful. That being said, one of the Korean co-teachers did mention to me that she has noticed that kids nowadays are very rude. So it's nice to know that the Koreans aren't just blind to their poor attitudes.
#3} They just genuinely don't want to be there. And I get that. If I was forced to go to countless boring schools every single day, I'd probably wouldn't be too thrilled about it either. These kids being at the age that they are can't and don't care to understand that getting this extra help will probably help them get ahead in the world. I know that Korean parents just try really really really hard for their kids to get the best education possible so that they can get into good universities, get good careers and have a good life. And I understand. But I also understand why South Korea has one of the highest student suicide rates in the world.
#4} I'm a new teacher and they're testing me. I have been told a lot lately that because I am a new teacher and the students are just getting used to me, they're going to try and see how far they can push me. The other teachers here keep reassuring me that once they (the students) get to know me, they'll start behaving better and things will get easier once I have a routine down. I continue to pray that this day will come fast, for now, it remains a dream within a dream.
So this is just some thoughts on what I have been experiencing so far with my students. I still enjoy my classes, and I am glad that I'm here. I just find it interesting how different these kids are than the ones I had last year.
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