A student of mine (a philosophy major) recently graduated and took a job teaching English for a year in South Korea. He is keeping a blog about his personal and pedagogical experiences and trying his best to analyze and understand them from a cross-cultural perspective (his main interests as a student lie in Asian philosophy). He put a post up today on his blog that I'm sure will be of interest to folks here. With his permission, I'm reproducing his post -- and the dilemma he poses for educators who are schooled in ethical theory -- below.
I have always held a particular fondness for the theoretical side of ethics: sitting in my ivory tower of philosophy and thinking about train-switches and bizzaro-Hitlers in parallel-worlds.
This week I found myself in a very obvious real-life moral dilemma, and although I firmly believe our moral selves don't just "swing in" at the point when when we need them to (morality as a way of life, not something that just happens here and there, occasionally), I did see a clear-cut difference between the situation at hand than the situations I find myself in everyday.
This is an interesting topic for all teachers and ivory-tower theorists-- the situation I found myself in really calls into question several different aspects: child abuse, suicide rates, cultural norms, personal duty and relational identity. Interested?
First, let me explain the situation itself. Before heading to class to teach on Friday, I ran into one of my students waiting for the elevator. I asked him how he was, to which he replied "Not good. I am afraid of the speaking test." As you can probably infer, I was to administer a test in order to determine the students' progress on their English speaking ability. I told him not to worry, the test was short and quite simple, and that I would see him in an hour.
As I entered the class an hour later I saw the student again. The student was clearly uncomfortable, sweating profusely and looking quite anxious. This concerned me, as this particular student is usually one that I get along with quite easily, and that I consider to be one of my brighter students. This student has never had a problem approaching me for any reason. Today was different though. Again, the student said he was afraid of the test. I reassured him, and began taking students out to the hall one-by-one in order to ask them a few simple questions and give them grades. The grades would later be entered into our website, where parents can easily check students' progress.
The student in question did very well on the test, and I told him so again, reassuring him as best I could. Within a few moments after the test, he regained his composure and looked much more relaxed. This is when he said "If I don't do well on the speaking test, my mother hits me." I didn't really know what to make of this comment, what truth was behind such a statement, and what exactly to do. I told him again he did very well on the test, and told him not to worry, his mother would be proud of him. These were all completely true statements.
My question is this: in the future, how will I balance my duty as a teacher to reflect the student's proficiency accurately in grades, knowing that this student may face abuse at home if I grade to harshly?
Conflict of interest, you can be sure.
Now for some background information: Students in South Korea face extremely stressful lives. They are in school or academy (private school) year round, and are tested every step of the way. Tests determine eligibility for middle school, high school, university and job-placement. The only way to assure a decent income later in life is to study and test well. Students are pressured to succeed by their teachers, their peers and their families.
Furthermore, South Korea boasts one of the highest suicide rates in the world. The youth are well aware of this problem. I've had more than a couple of my students mention the stress and suicide rates in their weekly writings.
Culturally (based on what I've seen in public, so far), the standard Confucian parent-child relationship is in play and bound to a fair degree of physical discipline--hitting, spanking, and so forth. Of course, this is completely circumstantial, and I have no idea what my student experiences when he gets home. This is almost a separate topic altogether.
The fact of the matter is that my situation is a false dilemma. I have no choice at all-I have to pad grades. As an English "teacher," I'm more of an English "presence" than anything else. Yes, I go through lessons, and the kids do learn. In the grand scheme of things, however, the grades I give mean nothing.
So, for you ivory tower theorists, lets alter this thought experiment a bit. What would you do if you had a choice? Is padding the grades to save the student's skin a wise decision? Or should you hold up your duty as a teacher and honestly reflect the skills of those you are testing? That is, do you worry about the circumstances at home when factoring grades?
Rather than reproduce the content, shouldn't this be a summary and a link to the blog?
ReplyDeleteThom,
ReplyDeleteI don't think Will minds the link to his blog, which is here:
http://eastquestionwestanswer.blogspot.com/
However, in my experience blogging the more places people are asked to go, the less people actually seem to wind up at the desired location.
So in the attempt to get Will as many comments as possible, I reproduced his post here instead of asking people to comment at his place.
That said, given that the link is above, anyone should feel free to comment there as opposed to here.
Hmmm ... my own sense is that it would be wrong for you to pad the grades but also wrong for you to ignore the consequences of your not padding the grades. While I think instructors have obligations to ensure that their students aren't subject to this sort of violence, I also don't think it's their obligation alone. I don't know Korean culture well at all, but this seems to me the sort of thing that needs to be reported to an administrative office of some kind: a dean, psychological services, etc. After all, it seems like this student is living in fear. Administrators are the ones who would have the authority to intervene in the situation more directly. But perhaps that's wishful thinking on my part.
ReplyDeleteMichael-
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly. I'm not entirely sure, however, how I approach this culturally. I suppose going to an administrator is not that big of a deal from a Western standpoint (as it would be the appropriate response in any Western academic setting), but living in the East, I can't shake the feeling that I'm the "nosy, ignorant American" in this situation. It's a fine line I have to balance--straddling two cultures. Of course, I've erred on the side of caution and reported it.
I now get the feeling that this student is not alone. Or at least I now have a feeling that every student I have is potentially in the same situation, only not willing to talk about it openly. Who's to say that this phenomena isn't completely normal, and it is unusual that a student makes light of it?
Clearly I have a lot to learn about Korean culture as well.
It's a centuries old problem in Korea, which systematically implemented the civil service examination system borrowed from China. (See Wikipedia entry on Gwageo, and the book CHINA'S EXAMINATION HELL: THE CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS OF ANCIENT CHINA.) Traditionally the civil service exam was the only way in which one could gain prestige and advancement in society. It's not all that different now with the university entrance exam.
ReplyDeleteCorporal punishment in the form of beating is quite common and seen as acceptable practice both at home and in the classroom. Usually rulers and broomsticks are used (more painfully leather belts but that's probably exceptional and unacceptable in most cases), on open palms, leg calves, and buttocks. Perhaps some ear-pulling as well, but probably more in the heat of the moment and not as surgically clean or respectful as using a wooden ruler or broomstick, with a pre-established warning predetermined number of strokes to be administered for particular infractions.
Except in extreme cases, I don't think beating is the problem. (Nor is it the solution, given that so much of the exam relies on rote memorization, it's clear that beating doesn't help improve the memory.) It's the psychological pressure, the messed up education/exam system, and unreasonably high expectations of parents. Korean parents, especially mothers, are legendary for their concern for their children's (especially sons') education. (Not as much for daughters... it's sexist, but they are expected to marry well.) The model for this is Mencius's mother, who moved three times when Mencius was small to ensure that he had the best possible environment for his study and improvement of moral character. Also, parents' expectations as to where their children should study and what (at prestigious universities, and study to become lawyers and doctors, because they have prestige), are quite limited.
Given that you cannot change the system itself, you have no choice but to work within it, and assign grades as fairly as possible. I think it's good and commendable that you reported this to the school, despite your misgivings about doing so. Possibly you can get in touch with other teachers who know the student, and find out whether he's having it much worse (in terms of domestic violence) than other students. If that's so then I think you can afford to be lenient to him with a clear conscience. Maybe you can even help make other teachers and administrators at the school more sensitive to the plight of particular students, and that would be very nice.
I studied in Korea only up to 4th grade, and that was way back in 1985. So I may be a bit off. In any case I don't want to dwell only on the negative aspects of Korean culture and educational system. There's a lot you can come to appreciate about the people and the culture, and I hope you will be enjoying your experience there. :D
Anonymous-
ReplyDeleteBrilliant comments, and very insightful. I appreciate them.
And yes, I do agree--we mustn't focus too much on the negative. Consider for a moment that as recently as the 1960's, South Korea was still considered a third-world country. Immense progress has been made, and the country enjoys a prosperity that wasn't seen even a generation ago. Korea is a beautiful country with wonderfully nice people, and I do greatly enjoy my time here. I'm loving it more and more each day.
This reminds me of what I heard from Korean classmates during high school and the chapters on Korean airplane accidents in Malcom Gladwell's "Outliers." I had several Korean friends complain of being pressured to attend a prestigious University (often liberal arts schools, even the so-called little ivies, were out of the question) and seek a profitable major. I would be fearful of grading easy for those students not learning at an adequate pace. Eventually they will encounter another teacher who does not practice grade inflation. You will merely be setting the student up for more beatings.
ReplyDeleteBeating is common place in Korea. I've taught students who tell me that a slap in the face or around the head is normal....in the classroom! It isn't viewed as 'abuse' by Korean culture. I'm sure it is horrible and unpleasant but I'm not sure we can apply our western feeling about the subject to their culture without first appreciating their cultural norms. I'm not arguing that it is ok because it's a norm, only that if it is happening to most of the kids it will not impact in the same way emotionally. Students probably feel less singled out, victimised and isolated and regard it as a painful but predictable reality. Is is more likely to be family pressure that causes the suicides. In Korean culture, they function in groups rather than individuals so what you do has implications for your entire family and place of employment. My students tell me that they are far more afraid of 'letting the family down' than getting a slap. We shouldn't therefore apply our moral norms to such a different situation. I agree with the idea that there is an obligation not to inflate grades because the student concerned will not always have 'you' as the judge of his/her competence and could get a nasty shock if they expect to comfortably pass an important external exam and fail, therefore bringing shame to the family...far more painful to the family. That said I accept that a tteacher is also responsible for reporting any signs of abuse. The best thing to do is consult Korean colleagues and gauge their reaction: Do they regard this as extreme or dangerous? Or do they laugh and regale you with tales of their own childhood beatings? Use them as a cultural thermometer, a resource. I appreciate how you must feel to see your student so terrified, it reflects well on you that you care so much.
ReplyDeleteBeating is common place in Korea. I've taught students who tell me that a slap in the face or around the head is normal....in the classroom! It isn't viewed as 'abuse' by Korean culture. I'm sure it is horrible and unpleasant but I'm not sure we can apply our western feeling about the subject to their culture without first appreciating their cultural norms. I'm not arguing that it is ok because it's a norm, only that if it is happening to most of the kids it will not impact in the same way emotionally. Students probably feel less singled out, victimised and isolated and regard it as a painful but predictable reality. Is is more likely to be family pressure that causes the suicides. In Korean culture, they function in groups rather than individuals so what you do has implications for your entire family and place of employment. My students tell me that they are far more afraid of 'letting the family down' than getting a slap. We shouldn't therefore apply our moral norms to such a different situation. I agree with the idea that there is an obligation not to inflate grades because the student concerned will not always have 'you' as the judge of his/her competence and could get a nasty shock if they expect to comfortably pass an important external exam and fail, therefore bringing shame to the family...far more painful to the family. That said I accept that a tteacher is also responsible for reporting any signs of abuse. The best thing to do is consult Korean colleagues and gauge their reaction: Do they regard this as extreme or dangerous? Or do they laugh and regale you with tales of their own childhood beatings? Use them as a cultural thermometer, a resource. I appreciate how you must feel to see your student so terrified, it reflects well on you that you care so much.
ReplyDelete