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Q: Is bullying a big problem in Chinese schools?
It;s a problem that we've had in the UK for many generations. Is it inevitable, do we have to put up with it? Any ideas from those teachers in our midst?
11 years 38 weeks ago in Teaching & Learning - China
bullying is a huge problem in china. not just schools but private training schools. you see them mock fat students and students who are perceived to be ugly. and it is accepted.
Its a part of childhood,not saying its right but its just a fact of growing up
I've only really worked in training schools but i've never come across it on any level that gave me cause for concern. For me it's the only thing i'd send a child home for and in my six years of teaching i've only had to do that once.
Never come across it in China, but then I've only taught in private schools and they catered mainly to young adults or older and bullying isn't an issue. I have taught some kids (high school ages) but never come across any bullying, a bit of leg pulling but no more.
I taught in the UK for 6 years before coming to China, (in a different field) and we were VERY proactive on bullying, it was seriously stomped on and was a reason for instant exclusion (once proven).
Hugh.G.Rection:
robinhood you're a mind reader! I was going to post how in China I try to be proactive, but then I soon realised that while I try the bottom line is RMB.
I like where I teach, it's a nice place nice people, nice students with no evidence of bullying, but then our students are mainly Uni entrants. However I'm not so naive to believe that if I asked for a student to be expelled that it would happen without a lot of 'discussion'.
Judging by some of the hate and bullying here, it could well be some of the teachers.
Bullying in schools in China is a big issue, but totally part of the culture here.
With middle-schoolers they often look like they're fighting but in fact they are friends and it's just playing. I am from the UK and the first time I saw this and broke up a 'fight' everyone laughed at me (in a good way, I was new and they knew I didn't know/understand). That said, you should look at the signs e.g. is the kid not part of the 'gang' or is that kid very quiet in class and not interacting with others, if so just alert the kids teacher who can have a word with them.
The school I work at is a very good school and whilst there are bad students and some bullying it is stopped as soon as it is found out about, one Chinese teacher's preferred method is to have the kid do 100-200 squats with hand's on his head repeating "dui bu qi" with each squat!
As for bullying and lack of respect towards the teacher, that is all dependent upon the teacher, in the UK it is common, here in China teacher is GOD! But again it is dependent upon the part of the teacher, if you go into class without rules expect the kids to 'try you' they will push to see how far you will go, establish discipline in the early classes and let the kids know you can't be messed around, do this for a few classes then relax a little, you will have their respect forever, maintenance is the key, REINFORCE the discipline as soon as you see them acting up.
I am not quite sure if it is called bullying or not, but they certainly are violent minded organisms. I am not a teacher, but I do visit schools as part of my job, and every time I observe the play ground, they are play fighting. I'm not certain if young children do that everywhere or not. I think it bodes illl for humanity. I often see the bigger, stronger attacking the smaller, even attacking females, so, to me it is bullying.
