Hello,
I am fresh out of college and in about the second month of my first job. I work at an Eikaiwa that emphasizes a more fun, light hearted approach for teaching children ages four to about highschool.
Upon exiting training and beginning my teaching, I have experienced a jaw-dropping amount of culture shock by how my students have been treating me. I have been: sworn at in English, sworn at in Japanese, had a block thrown at my head (hitting me dead on), my voice mocked in class, indirectly spat on, constantly ignored as the rules that we are trained to set in the classroom are constantly disobeyed, had my teacher's chair broken, and my school props torn in half. I have been treated essentially like punching bag for a group of unbelievably unruly, disrespectful children, of which have ZERO regard for me as an adult.
All of this pales in comparison to one student. I have been struck twice now straight-on in the testicles by him, first by a closed fist punch, and the second by throwing a solid ball straight at them about two weeks later. This happened because he was trying to throw a ball at my face / head. After about three or four near misses to my face, my boss told him to stop aiming for my head. So, he aimed down there. (In fairness, it was a pretty impressive throw)
I have been told by both my boss and by the individuals that trained me that there is basically nothing I can do to "discipline" the children, as the most important thing to the business is ensure that they have fun so they will want to return.
Look, all I want to know is this: Is this normal? Is this just part of the job, or is something wrong here? I genuinely have no idea. I've tried to ask AI, search online, and overall try to get an idea as to whether or not this is something to just get "used to" and roll with, or if something is wrong here.
I'd like to stick my contract out as to add it to my resume, however needless to say, I am no longer enjoying the position.
Information, opinions, or even a shared laugh in the comments would be appreciated. Thanks
by Lumpy_Echo2069