Yes, it's true. The Taiwanese don't teach manners.
I am specifically choosing Taiwanese here, because I don't teach Chinese students and I don't know about them. Also, my students are Taiwanese, that is the label they go by.
Anyway, my classes have taken a turn for the worse. Now, they are really starting to grind on my nerves and piss me off.
Last week, I punished a class with a test which covered material they wouldn't let me teach. Needless to say, almost all of them lost that 8 points on the test. I don't want to be a hardass, but it has come to that. Also in the same class, which is supposed to be the best in the elementary, they are so rude. I have been called fat, been poked like a dough boy, and had my neck pulled on. So, I lost it last Friday with that class. I told them they were the rudest kids I had ever met and they were terrible. And I finished with, "You are the reason I don't want to be here." They tried to apologize, but I could care less at this point with them.
In another class, which was going well until last week, bad language has become an issue. I paired them up randomly, honestly I had no control over who was with who. When I called out one pair, I got a "F**K" from the back of the room and from a girl no less. So I told her to write 10 sentences about why not to use bad language in class, which was met with a "F**K You". Oh, well....
Things are changing in my one class that does the English Chant. I have control over most of them. I have yet to bring in shoe polish for my shoes, but that threat is always there.
Maybe it is time to teach some manners and respect..... OR maybe it is my Hoosier spirit that feels these kids are out there...
Monday, December 25, 2006
It's a secret....
Ok, I can't say much, but here is the reason I am so tired.
I had to finish two papers for university. But that's not it.
I held a Christmas party at my house. But that's not it.
My students are terrible, calling me fat and not listening, yeah that's it. BUT that is all about to change and that's all I can say.
I had to finish two papers for university. But that's not it.
I held a Christmas party at my house. But that's not it.
My students are terrible, calling me fat and not listening, yeah that's it. BUT that is all about to change and that's all I can say.
The Greatest Cultural Experience
Ok, now having lived outside of the US for over 2 years, I have found what has to be the greatest cultural expereince.
Some might think it is the food, the people, dating a person from that country, the places, using the language....BUT I think it is getting a haircut. Yes, getting a HAIRCUT.
Why? Because, for a short period of time you put yourself at the mercy of this person with scissors. This person can make you look great, trim that hair that is in your eyes, shave the neckline you can't reach, and give you information (depending on the language barrier). OR, this person can cut yor ear off, mess up your hairstyle, cut you with the razor, or rip you off for a terrible haircut.
Luckily for me, I have had great barbers in Indiana, Japan, Little Saigon in California, and now China. Sure the prices vary and maybe I get charged more for being a foreigner, But now that I have these places, I would never trade them in for some new barbershop or go somewhere cheaper.
At home, the barbershop is small and its there you can hear thet local politics. Have a good talk, get a haircut, watch baseball and enjoy some coffee. They know you by name, although in there I am a Rizer, it's ok. And it is only $12 for a cut. In Japan, I had the chain-smoking barber. If he wasn't cutting hair he was carving souvenirs for tourists to buy. Even though I didn't speak Japanese, I had a great time there... I usually stayed for a bit and had a short chat with some coffee. I even traded some souvenirs from vacations I went on with them. Sure the haircut was 3000yen ($27), but it was the best, no clippers were used. I bought several of the barber's souvenirs for gifts and he gave me a generous discount.... Now in China, I don't have one barber, but just a shop to go to. It's there I don't have to explain, I just say cut and control the length of the hair... and they copy my style. It's great, except for the dry straight blade razor to trim the neckline. I pay 20rmb ($2.50), and all is good.
Every time I have to get a haircut at a new place, I stress out. Will it be ok, will I lose an ear and so on.... There is usually a language barrier for me, but I seem to get past that and it's all good. So, the next time you are getting your haircut in the comfort of your home country, just think what it might be like to do it in a place where you speak gibberish. Let me tell you, it can be quite the expereince.....
Some might think it is the food, the people, dating a person from that country, the places, using the language....BUT I think it is getting a haircut. Yes, getting a HAIRCUT.
Why? Because, for a short period of time you put yourself at the mercy of this person with scissors. This person can make you look great, trim that hair that is in your eyes, shave the neckline you can't reach, and give you information (depending on the language barrier). OR, this person can cut yor ear off, mess up your hairstyle, cut you with the razor, or rip you off for a terrible haircut.
Luckily for me, I have had great barbers in Indiana, Japan, Little Saigon in California, and now China. Sure the prices vary and maybe I get charged more for being a foreigner, But now that I have these places, I would never trade them in for some new barbershop or go somewhere cheaper.
At home, the barbershop is small and its there you can hear thet local politics. Have a good talk, get a haircut, watch baseball and enjoy some coffee. They know you by name, although in there I am a Rizer, it's ok. And it is only $12 for a cut. In Japan, I had the chain-smoking barber. If he wasn't cutting hair he was carving souvenirs for tourists to buy. Even though I didn't speak Japanese, I had a great time there... I usually stayed for a bit and had a short chat with some coffee. I even traded some souvenirs from vacations I went on with them. Sure the haircut was 3000yen ($27), but it was the best, no clippers were used. I bought several of the barber's souvenirs for gifts and he gave me a generous discount.... Now in China, I don't have one barber, but just a shop to go to. It's there I don't have to explain, I just say cut and control the length of the hair... and they copy my style. It's great, except for the dry straight blade razor to trim the neckline. I pay 20rmb ($2.50), and all is good.
Every time I have to get a haircut at a new place, I stress out. Will it be ok, will I lose an ear and so on.... There is usually a language barrier for me, but I seem to get past that and it's all good. So, the next time you are getting your haircut in the comfort of your home country, just think what it might be like to do it in a place where you speak gibberish. Let me tell you, it can be quite the expereince.....
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Yep, Merry Christmas.... from my cubicle.
I have been so busy as of late.... Sorry for all of you die hard readers out there in webspace.
As i type this, I am sitting at my cubicle, just like Office Space. What a Merry Christmas. A week ago I had a great party with all of my friends. It truly was a great time.... some people enjoyed it a lot. I think that was the first time I had celebrated Christmas like that.
Last night, I was required to attend a party for my evil company. Yes, it was mandatory. And to boot, I had to dress like Santa and pretend to be happy. I didn't get enough time to eat, nor were there any 'drinks' to enjoy. But, I gave them an Xmas gift earlier in the day.... What goes around comes around, I guess.....
After the party, the four of us, Chirs, Francine, Christina, and I, were invited to a friend's house for drinks with his wife. Being that it is Christmas, we went and had a good time talking and having a few drinks.
Well, Santa did find my house and seems to have left gifts for some people under my tree. Hopefully, we can open some gifts tonight.
Thanks to everyone who sent me stuff, I really appreciate it. It's great to get things from home.... each package is like a treasure.
Well Merry Christmas from China and I hope Santa brought something good for you...
I have been so busy as of late.... Sorry for all of you die hard readers out there in webspace.
As i type this, I am sitting at my cubicle, just like Office Space. What a Merry Christmas. A week ago I had a great party with all of my friends. It truly was a great time.... some people enjoyed it a lot. I think that was the first time I had celebrated Christmas like that.
Last night, I was required to attend a party for my evil company. Yes, it was mandatory. And to boot, I had to dress like Santa and pretend to be happy. I didn't get enough time to eat, nor were there any 'drinks' to enjoy. But, I gave them an Xmas gift earlier in the day.... What goes around comes around, I guess.....
After the party, the four of us, Chirs, Francine, Christina, and I, were invited to a friend's house for drinks with his wife. Being that it is Christmas, we went and had a good time talking and having a few drinks.
Well, Santa did find my house and seems to have left gifts for some people under my tree. Hopefully, we can open some gifts tonight.
Thanks to everyone who sent me stuff, I really appreciate it. It's great to get things from home.... each package is like a treasure.
Well Merry Christmas from China and I hope Santa brought something good for you...
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Push Start
So, one day last week, I think it was a Friday, yes it was Friday...Anyway, school was busy as normal and it was time to leave....
So, Chris and I make a mad dash for the bus, get on it and claim our seats. Yeah we make up our own seating chart when we can, just to mess with the students. (I actually got a phone call about sitting in my assigned seat)
Anyway, everyone gets on the bus, the door shuts.....and nothing. The engine turns, but there just isn't enough juice to fire the baby to life. After inspecting the engine, I am sure they found that the battery was dead... So, what to do? Jumper Cables? NO. Oh, Push Start it!!! So the driver and some others got behind the bus and started to push, while someone else tossed it into gear.... LOL, like that would work with a bus! It didn't work, so they tried again. Again, nothing.... Chris and I are laughing at this point.
Then we all get off and push the bus back to the parking lot, get our stuff and board another bus......
WOW, push start a bus with 4 guys, with the students still on board.... what a day.... go ahead and laugh, you know you want to.
So, Chris and I make a mad dash for the bus, get on it and claim our seats. Yeah we make up our own seating chart when we can, just to mess with the students. (I actually got a phone call about sitting in my assigned seat)
Anyway, everyone gets on the bus, the door shuts.....and nothing. The engine turns, but there just isn't enough juice to fire the baby to life. After inspecting the engine, I am sure they found that the battery was dead... So, what to do? Jumper Cables? NO. Oh, Push Start it!!! So the driver and some others got behind the bus and started to push, while someone else tossed it into gear.... LOL, like that would work with a bus! It didn't work, so they tried again. Again, nothing.... Chris and I are laughing at this point.
Then we all get off and push the bus back to the parking lot, get our stuff and board another bus......
WOW, push start a bus with 4 guys, with the students still on board.... what a day.... go ahead and laugh, you know you want to.
Chant Chant Chant
So, I am sure you have seen Full Metal Jacket, right? Well I have ahd to resort to that style of teaching for one of my classes and here is the chant they do every class:
(standing) This is my English Class. There are many like it, but this one is mine. I must master English, like I must master many other subjects. Today, I will do my best to pay attention and learn. Tonight I will study hard and finish my homework.
Damn, it feels good to be a gangsta..... Teaching like never before....
(standing) This is my English Class. There are many like it, but this one is mine. I must master English, like I must master many other subjects. Today, I will do my best to pay attention and learn. Tonight I will study hard and finish my homework.
Damn, it feels good to be a gangsta..... Teaching like never before....
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Dictator
Hey All,
I didn't know where to post this, but here it goes. I recently had a terrible day teaching at my school, not that there are many good days. The class I am talking about has pushed me to my ends and has always had a problem. Hell, I kicked one of the kids out of my English Club yesterday! And I’ve started a class once by a kid telling me, “Seth, I hate you.” So, I started to control the class by taking away passing period time, but that has finally broken down. Anyway read about today...
So, the day started as usual...kids coming up to 5 minutes late to class, some without books. A kid Eddy can't even understand when I say, "Eddy get your books!!!" and he is in my class of 5th and 6th graders. I have asked to remove him from class, but he is still there. His Chinese English teacher, has just noticed there is a problem with his poor performance. The Semester is 2/3 over!!!
Anyway, last class we covered a bunch of new words from our reading book. I wrote them on the board along with very simple English definitions. As most of the kids finished copying them, I erased them just to get their attention. So, today, I wrote 8 random words on the board and told them to write a sentence using each of the words. I was hoping to judge where my students stood with grasping these new words.
Some kids forgot their Journal, I let them go and get it. Mind you this happens often. Then some of the kids just started jacking around, walking around harassing other students. So I took away 2 passing period minutes. To no avail they kept on doing the same as before. So, I took away all of the passing period minutes. Yes, all 10, which would make them late for the next class. I constantly warned all of them to be quiet and do their work. I have some repeat offenders on the not doing their work part. It is too bad my grades don't mean shit. I also constantly called them by name, but that doesn’t work either. Eddy, doesn’t usually answer to his English name.
In the meantime, the good students were bringing their sentences up to be checked by me and I did so happily. Finally, kids that care, I mean really care. Still there were others jacking around….I tried to ignore them.
After adequate time to write 8 sentences, 35 minutes, I took a count of who had done it and who hadn’t. Then I got creative with my punishment.
I YELLED, “STAND UP!” and they did.
I then called the names of the ‘good students’ and moved them to the left side of the classroom. The others to the right.
I split the desks into 2 rows in sets of 3. So there was a giant gap between the two ‘teams’ of students.
I redistributed the passing period minutes: Good Students – 0, Bad Students – 10.
And gave a short free-writing assignment. Most everyone worked on it.
*The Bell Rang
I dismissed the ‘Good Students.’ I held the ‘Bad Students’ behind for 10 minutes. There is a desk blocking one door, like that isn’t a fire hazard, and I stood in front of the other.
The ‘Bad Students’ tried to get out of their 10 minutes by showing me their ‘finished’ assignments. I wasn’t having that today, this hasn’t been a good week and I wasn’t about to make anyone’s day.
Well, I have better things to do, like check email and prepare for the next class. And this would make me late. SO, I made them clean the classroom. The 3rd floor English room is one that isn’t normally cleaned, because it is a general purpose room. I made those kids clean that room, just short of mopping and polishing. I have never seen the room so clean before, including the first day of school. Yeah it took them 7 minutes of their time to get it clean.
I am going to continue to use this method. Hell, I might bring in some cleaning products for the room. And some kid can polish my shoes too! What can I say, I am just giving them a taste of reality, if you don’t do well in school you will be doing this kind of job.
What does classroom management say about that?
-“The now hated English teacher” Seth
I didn't know where to post this, but here it goes. I recently had a terrible day teaching at my school, not that there are many good days. The class I am talking about has pushed me to my ends and has always had a problem. Hell, I kicked one of the kids out of my English Club yesterday! And I’ve started a class once by a kid telling me, “Seth, I hate you.” So, I started to control the class by taking away passing period time, but that has finally broken down. Anyway read about today...
So, the day started as usual...kids coming up to 5 minutes late to class, some without books. A kid Eddy can't even understand when I say, "Eddy get your books!!!" and he is in my class of 5th and 6th graders. I have asked to remove him from class, but he is still there. His Chinese English teacher, has just noticed there is a problem with his poor performance. The Semester is 2/3 over!!!
Anyway, last class we covered a bunch of new words from our reading book. I wrote them on the board along with very simple English definitions. As most of the kids finished copying them, I erased them just to get their attention. So, today, I wrote 8 random words on the board and told them to write a sentence using each of the words. I was hoping to judge where my students stood with grasping these new words.
Some kids forgot their Journal, I let them go and get it. Mind you this happens often. Then some of the kids just started jacking around, walking around harassing other students. So I took away 2 passing period minutes. To no avail they kept on doing the same as before. So, I took away all of the passing period minutes. Yes, all 10, which would make them late for the next class. I constantly warned all of them to be quiet and do their work. I have some repeat offenders on the not doing their work part. It is too bad my grades don't mean shit. I also constantly called them by name, but that doesn’t work either. Eddy, doesn’t usually answer to his English name.
In the meantime, the good students were bringing their sentences up to be checked by me and I did so happily. Finally, kids that care, I mean really care. Still there were others jacking around….I tried to ignore them.
After adequate time to write 8 sentences, 35 minutes, I took a count of who had done it and who hadn’t. Then I got creative with my punishment.
I YELLED, “STAND UP!” and they did.
I then called the names of the ‘good students’ and moved them to the left side of the classroom. The others to the right.
I split the desks into 2 rows in sets of 3. So there was a giant gap between the two ‘teams’ of students.
I redistributed the passing period minutes: Good Students – 0, Bad Students – 10.
And gave a short free-writing assignment. Most everyone worked on it.
*The Bell Rang
I dismissed the ‘Good Students.’ I held the ‘Bad Students’ behind for 10 minutes. There is a desk blocking one door, like that isn’t a fire hazard, and I stood in front of the other.
The ‘Bad Students’ tried to get out of their 10 minutes by showing me their ‘finished’ assignments. I wasn’t having that today, this hasn’t been a good week and I wasn’t about to make anyone’s day.
Well, I have better things to do, like check email and prepare for the next class. And this would make me late. SO, I made them clean the classroom. The 3rd floor English room is one that isn’t normally cleaned, because it is a general purpose room. I made those kids clean that room, just short of mopping and polishing. I have never seen the room so clean before, including the first day of school. Yeah it took them 7 minutes of their time to get it clean.
I am going to continue to use this method. Hell, I might bring in some cleaning products for the room. And some kid can polish my shoes too! What can I say, I am just giving them a taste of reality, if you don’t do well in school you will be doing this kind of job.
What does classroom management say about that?
-“The now hated English teacher” Seth
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Me? A Teacher?
tEAch'N isn't so bad.....i guess,
Well, things are going ok here at my country school.... I wish they would turn on the heat, but alas we can't have it all. My classes are going ok, well I could comlain, but what good would it do? I have started taking away their passing period time. Man the kids hate that. Sooner or later they are going to be quiet and pay attention.... I started at 5 minutes and now they only lose 1 or 2 a class. I have also started getting the kids to understand they each have an impact on each other. Thus, if one messes up it costs the whole class! You might say this is mean, but I challenge you to teach a class where you can't speak the children's native language and see what you do to control the class....
Other news... I now teach on Saturday for extra money at the language company. The money isn't great, but it is some pocket money... There are 4 kids in the class that are super smart and behave most of the time. The text is crap, so I have to make it all up... Who ever heard of teaching 3 pages in 3 hours?
(Insert a compaint about your job here) and it probably applies to mine too.
Oh, well... Take it easy,
-Seth
Well, things are going ok here at my country school.... I wish they would turn on the heat, but alas we can't have it all. My classes are going ok, well I could comlain, but what good would it do? I have started taking away their passing period time. Man the kids hate that. Sooner or later they are going to be quiet and pay attention.... I started at 5 minutes and now they only lose 1 or 2 a class. I have also started getting the kids to understand they each have an impact on each other. Thus, if one messes up it costs the whole class! You might say this is mean, but I challenge you to teach a class where you can't speak the children's native language and see what you do to control the class....
Other news... I now teach on Saturday for extra money at the language company. The money isn't great, but it is some pocket money... There are 4 kids in the class that are super smart and behave most of the time. The text is crap, so I have to make it all up... Who ever heard of teaching 3 pages in 3 hours?
(Insert a compaint about your job here) and it probably applies to mine too.
Oh, well... Take it easy,
-Seth
Christmas
Time for a happy post....
Well, as you can see from my homepage it is Christmas time. Yep, Chris and I have finished the decorating of our apartment. Look at all the pics and watch the video.... That's how we GIT R DONE!
Waiting for Santa to bring me presents,
-Seth
Well, as you can see from my homepage it is Christmas time. Yep, Chris and I have finished the decorating of our apartment. Look at all the pics and watch the video.... That's how we GIT R DONE!
Waiting for Santa to bring me presents,
-Seth
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