Disrespect: The Common Theme

At first I just thought it was the students getting used to me, but now I know that they are truly very disrespectful. They do not care for their Academy teachers, especially the foreigners. Why is this? There is no system in place for implementing formal punishments for misbehavior. Disrespect runs rampant at my academy and worst of all it is perpetuated by those in charge. There is no course of action known to me for handling tactless, and I do mean tactless, children.

American education systems are far better equipped to deal with these issues. Maybe it is an unfortunate bi-product created out of necessity to deal with a poorly structured education system, bad parenting, bad children or a combination of them all; who knows? I don't wish to get into that bottomless pit of a debate. But I will say that America's education system, at least the bureaucratic and administrative side is far superior than that of Korea's. Some may ask: Why then does Korea/ Japan/ India/ China(you get the idea) produce some of the world's greatest academics now-a-days? I truly think it is simply because they have greater populations, but if you looked at the percentages compared to population, you would see it was all relative. Plus, in Korea children go to school much longer thru the year and for three more years total than American children before going to college.

What brings about this rant and this rave? I have never been disrespected in general public life than I was by three 14 year-old girls yesterday(laugh if you must; it sounds funny to me even now as I type it. I assure you, I was livid.). What is worse. No one did more than simply asked them to stop, which is like throwing a solo cup of water on a forest fire. No one so much as lifted a finger to help me, or even made a somewhat genuine attempt to support me.

The Situation:

This class was told a week prior that they would have a test the following week. They were given all the information beforehand, as well as ample opportunity to ask me questions. The day came for the class and all six students piled into the class chatting, bickering loudly, and/or talking on their cell phones. I asked them to stop and as usual this process of bringing order took around 15 minutes. Finally, when they began to somewhat resemble students, they began to ask, whine, and pine for candy, gum, and money. This is a daily fight that I have with every class. When they realized that I would not concede, they quieted down. I took out the tests and told them to take out something to write with. The three girls, the naughty ones, started whining very loudly and stating, STATING to me like I made a mistake, NO TEST, NO TEST, NO TEST. I tried to pass them out and they passed it back. At this I went and got the secretary to come in and straighten them out. She came in and said something in Korean and moved one girl away from the group. This was very affective considering the classroom is about 15ftx15ft and the tables are about four feet wide. Needless to say, it did nothing. Finally, they started on the Test. Not even a minute in and they had their phones out and were talking. Countless times I asked them to stop. They would and then countless times they would start again, so I gave them a time limit. I hoped this would motivate them to work quicker. It didn't, so I collected the tests to grade them. Three of the students did very well while the three girls all failed with minus 15's or worse. All of the girls tests had drawings on them, Korean writing, and one girl even put stickers all over hers. I went to get our secretary again. Again she came in said one thing in Korean and left. They mayhem promptly ensued. One of the girls when I passed back the tests crumpled it up and threw it back at mea and said, "trash, teacher!" I could not believe it. She threw it at me. I went back out and told the receptionist. I can't do it, I won't doit. I have no support from anyone, and I don't have to deal with this. She again went in and said something briefly and returned. Much to my surprise this shot at discipline had the same effect--none. I went in and tried my best to start anew and begin the lesson for that day. They still would not stop talking. The other three students even had looks of disbelief on their faces! I told them very loudly to stop talking, and they wouldn't still. I hope the amount of times I repeat this helps you realize how truly ridiculous and frustrating it was. Without being too redundant, let's just say the clock ran out before their talking did. They are manipulative too. They know what it means when you say, "stop talking". However, when a the secretary goes in to talk to them, they will say they can't understand me. When they want to talk about you they talk in Korean. They mock me constantly! I say something, and they say it in a funny voice and laugh. Needless to say this is the most mentally challenging thing I have ever had to deal with. Not because it takes mental toughness, but it requires the discipline to remain in a somewhat stable and calm state.

SUCKS ASS: The forementioned situation.

KICKS ASS: The teacher who told me I owed a lot of money due to this misunderstanding with the debit/credit card was wrong, and I don't owe a large sum of money. But it also sucks that I still cannot get a straight answer on the wawy things work here!