Being made fun of by students

[xiloa360]

I'm probably too sensitive but I've had a number of students now (mostly girls) point at my hips and laugh. Yes I am not thin and I have wide hips but it's not like all Korean women are skinny. There are big Korean women so what gives? Are any of you other teachers being made fun of?

[Kris Kringle]

Yes, there are overweight Korean women, but they get made fun of too.  Making fun of fat people seems like fair game here.  Even my coteacher teases the chubby kids. 

But you shouldn't care what your students say about you.  That's their job.  Your job is to shake it off and teach.  If it wasn't your hips, they'd find something else to poke fun at - and that's no different from home. 

[superjo2092]

You've just got to suck it up and shrug it off.  Do you really care THAT much if some schoolgirls are razzing you?  I've found that if anything, it aids in the weight loss motivation.  I wouldn't even acknowledge that behavior.  You're a teacher (sort of), not some new kid in school trying to make friends. 

[The.it.girl]

I have the what everyone tells me are the biggest boobs in Korea.. Killer looks seemed to do the trick for me.. Also I change my hair ofetn and last week I got braids so whenever id walk into a class theyd say "reggae girl" I know its petty but it really gets on my nerves..

I know this might seem harsh but what always works is too give them a bit of their own medicine.. ask them something dumb or [mod edit - racism].. once they get idea of what if feels like to be put on blast they wont dare do it again!!

[superjo2092]

No offense, but I honestly think that by "giving them some of their own medicine" you just promote that kind of behavior.  And really???  How old are we? 

[Janitor]

It is hard to deal with the students sometimes. I think that the best thing to do is just draw the line and if they say it to your face  or if you hear them in class, then deal on them. For those that say "suck it up" I wonder if they have ever been in that kind of situation.

I make fun of myself a lot, but there are two sides to good natured joking and harsh insults. When students are trying to say hurtful things, I put them back inline or get my co-teacher to do it. It is just disrespectful. Plain and simple, they are crossing the line.

I used to make fun of them back, but I never won in that case. I have a pretty harsh and quick wit and when it is directed on on a younger kid, it can be pretty nasty. I would not recommend  making fun of the kids because they are can harbor hatred to the likes of which only hell can rival.

[runthegauntlet]

I know this might seem harsh but what always works is too give them a bit of their own medicine.. ask them something dumb or [mod edit=racism]

 :o :o :o

Please tell me you're kidding.

[flasyb]

No offense, but I honestly think that by "giving them some of their own medicine" you just promote that kind of behavior.  And really???  How old are we?

Kind of right here. I usually don't respond to it except to laugh if it's a funny one. If it's a bit nasty I do some play acting and mock tears.

That said, if there's a particularly cheeky one who is constantly showing off to their peers, being generally disruptive and trying to put me down in front of the class (beyond light teasing or a little teacher baiting) I can usually put them in their place with a remark. I kind of enjoy it actually. It never lasts longer than the rest of the lesson but watching that grin turn into a frown is priceless.

[The.it.girl]

(mod edit, quote removed, deemed offensive and promoting trolling)

You call it promoting that behaviour, I call it a lesson learnt... "Suck it up" Really now? clearly you have no clue what it feels like to be made fun of.. Being adults or teachers or bigger people whatever you  choose to call us.. Nobody should be made fun of under no circumstances.. Someone who posted previously said that " it is there job" ( the students job to make fun of the teacher) this is far from right.. respect earns respect and even though you in turn are making fun of them, they will know what it feels like to be humilitated publicly as they are doing to you~

[jisun]

The other day, one of my 5th grade students (a boy) told me, "Teacher, today you are a little fat."  I told him that may not be a big deal in Korea, but it's considered rude in America.  And since I have established that the English classroom is in America rather than Korea, he needed to behave as would be expected in that country.

Kids can be cruel.  I echo the sentiments of those who advise against teasing back.  It will only accomplish one of two things: it will make them resent you, or it will send the message that teasing is acceptable behavior.  Even elementary students are old enough that they should be able to follow your directions not only when it comes to classroom commands but also when you are asking them not to do or say certain things.  Good luck!

[Jozigirl]

I beat them to the punch.  When my kids hear that I went clothes shopping over the weekend, I make a big joke of having to trek to Seoul because Itaewon is the only place that stocks "elephant size" in Korea.  Most of the time, they give an awkward laugh and tell me that westerners are just built differently to Asians and that Asians are too small.  My colleagues actually tell me that I don't eat enough at lunch (because my chopstick skills aren't that great) and that I mustn't lose too much weight. 

Kids are kids (and some 'adults' are no better) anywhere in the world.  My older brother teases me mercilessly about things because I'm very gullible but it's only fun for him if I react.  If they see you get upset, they keep poking because it becomes entertaining for them.  If you poke fun at yourself, and don't get upset when comments are made, the game loses it's appeal.  Besides, in all honesty, do you really need self-validation of your appearance from kids?

[wafflebunny]

(mod edit, quote removed, deemed offensive)

You call it promoting that behaviour, I call it a lesson learnt... "Suck it up" Really now? clearly you have no clue what it feels like to be made fun of.. Being adults or teachers or bigger people whatever you  choose to call us.. Nobody should be made fun of under no circumstances.. Someone who posted previously said that " it is there job" ( the students job to make fun of the teacher) this is by far the dumbest thing to say ever.. respect earns respect and even though you in turn are making fun of them, they will know what it feels like to be humilitated publicly as they are doing to you~

Honey, that's called being a butt-kisser. Sorry for sounding harsh but that was dumb what they said. But I agree with you.

[runthegauntlet]

Being adults or teachers or bigger people whatever you  choose to call us..Nobody should be made fun of under no circumstances.

And yet, here you are. Suggesting it's okay to make fun of kids if they make fun of you....

[H.W.]

Yes, there are overweight Korean women, but they get made fun of too.  Making fun of fat people seems like fair game here.  Even my coteacher teases the chubby kids. 

But you shouldn't care what your students say about you.  That's their job.  Your job is to shake it off and teach.  If it wasn't your hips, they'd find something else to poke fun at - and that's no different from home.

Tell this to the chubby girl who cried in my class when the boys laughed and called her pig.  Insensitive.  Not going to happen in my class.

[spinsterwithcat]

No offense, but I honestly think that by "giving them some of their own medicine" you just promote that kind of behavior.  And really???  How old are we?

You call it promoting that behaviour, I call it a lesson learnt... "Suck it up" Really now? clearly you have no clue what it feels like to be made fun of.. Being adults or teachers or bigger people whatever you  choose to call us.. Nobody should be made fun of under no circumstances.. Someone who posted previously said that " it is there job" ( the students job to make fun of the teacher) this is by far the dumbest thing to say ever.. respect earns respect and even though you in turn are making fun of them, they will know what it feels like to be humilitated publicly as they are doing to you~

1. Kids are basically people who don't know how to behave like human beings yet. This is true of Korean kids or any other kids you'll encounter. My students in the States were at least as cruel as the students are here, and probably more so. In theory, part of your job as a teacher is to help them become decent and kind people. So, as someone suggested... don't take it personally, and tell them that where you come from, what they said to you would be considered very rude.

2. If you say that no one "should be made fun of under no circumstances" (sic), then how is it legitimate to make fun of them back, in order to "teach them a lesson"? You're not following your own advice.

Anyway. My advice is to grow tough skin, if you're going to work with kids. Yeah, sometimes they're sweet. Sometimes they're not. Roll with it.

[Mr G]

Its because you are awesome and different and interesting. Its your body, are there rules somewhere that state how all bodies are supposed to look? They laugh, someone reacts, repeat - its the game some kids play. Don't react (ie. dont play the game) and it usually goes away. It may be cliched, but you gotta make peace with yourself and move along - then it doesn't really matter what they do, it won't affect you. And maybe you'll even be more open to all the good stuff that a lot of these kids say. I'm pretty sure theres more to you than your hips (or what some kids say about them). 

[astericks]

Seems we are dealing with some insecurity issues.
These are kids. Teasing is what kids do. Learn to live with it.

[ecoecho]

My speaking was actually made fun of today by both my co-teacher and a couple of our students. They are usually so quick to mimic my English intonation, and the inflection I give a question, in a mocking way. I feel annoyed at first, but I just have to let it go. My reply is that they should be nice, as I never tease them about their English. They apologize and look sullen for a bit.

Perhaps this is a good response. Just let them know that you don't make fun of their speaking/appearance/culture, so they shouldn't make fun of yours. An extra lesson in cultural respect and humility.

[dancesonhertoes]

Well, it is absolutly true that they will find something else to pick on you for.  And the thing is, often its not even picking, its just shock.  You are oh-so-very-interesting to them.  They notice everything about me, my tiny and usually hidden tattoo on my ankle, how my hair frizzes in the humidity, the color of my eyes, it can go on forever.  This isn't just asian kids, this is kids in general, they are so observant without realizing whats appropriate and not appropriate to say (depending on what age you have) back home I had a student who pointed out my "freakles" to his father - which was actually acne. So embarrasing.  I also had a student who's grandmother had burn marks on her face who announced to her whole class that her grandmother was deformed as her grandmother walked into class. It's just part of the job.

But how to deal with it.  Back home, I set my students down and discussed differences and disabilities with my students in a discussion like form.  I dont know your situation, but my students here are not at all at that level!  Before teaching in Korea I would NEVER advise picking on them back, but I find here that getting down to their level actually works better than most other things I've done. I had a kid who flipped me off for 3 weeks.  First week I told him not to, second week I ignored it as it was a cry for attention, 3rd week I chased after him grabbed his middle finger and pretended to bite it off.  Kid never flipped me off again, instead he started saying hello, carrying my books, getting my shoes and bags ready when its time to leave...  Kids who pick on each other in class I've started to point back and forth to them then make a heart sign with my hands.  They don't like that so they stop touching each other.  Instead of giving out punishments or asking them to do their work, or rewarding those who do their work as an example (all things that would work back home but didnt here) I've resorted to dramatically pretending to be emotionally hurt when they dont (big acting) and pretend cry until they start to do it.  And they always do it.

I agree we shouldnt breed hate, teasing or the sort, and that they should become culturally sensitized to it, but just being there - being different is giving them some cultural knowledge and you sadly will not be able to create miracles.  So in the end, figure out what works best FOR YOU.  and go for it.

[Rina]

If it's disruptive or breaks up the other students' concentration, then they should be punished for being loud.