Being told to stand up, stay late, do extra work, perform extra school chores or sent out of the room are not.
Japanese schools, despite their reputation for discipline and performance, have their share of problems: deliquents, bullies, suicides, pervert teachers, cheating principals.
Teachers can have students do work instead of listen to lectures or make them leave the classroom as a last resort - that is, when their behavior affects the ability of the rest of the classroom to learn.
It wasn't often that I had to do so...but I sent students out of the room when I was in Japan. They were always, well almost always, back the next class eager and ready.
I remember my very first class I taught at a high school in Japan. I was young and eager and showed up on time.
8:40am, about one-third to half of my students were there. I shut the door.
Little by little other students came and knocked on the door. I refused to let them in. They pounded on the door. I refused.
Soon, there were more kids outside than inside and they wanted in. I did not relent....and finished my class.
The next day...EVERYBODY was there, sitting and waiting, ready to go.
I never had a problem with students coming late again....and enjoyed my almost 20 years of teaching in Japan tremendously.
I think kids prefer to have the lines drawn clearly and the rules enforced fairly. Then everyone can have a good learning experience.
What do you think?
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