Korean Job Discussion Forums

[trinity24651]

Can I assume that when I get the little darlings, that they will speak no English? If they speak no English and I speak no Korean, how and where do I start?

[tomato]

Hello, Trinity!

Here is a bibliography which I post every time someone asks about kindergarten:

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The next time someone asks, this thread will become thread number 21.

[tomato]

Oh, yes: I almost forgot to answer your question!
Here are a few suggested starting places:

■ children's names

A proponent of child-centered education would be very happy if we put this one first.

Unless you are a quicker foreign language student than I am, you may find it impossible to remember a list of Korean names.
If someone else doesn't assign English nicknames to the kids, you should.

For a lesson on colors, you can ask what color Billy is wearing. For a lesson on prepositions, you can ask who Billy is sitting next to.

■ routine courtesies

Just as "buenos dias" and "bonjour" are commonly known in our culture, some fixed utterances in English are commonly known in Korea.
I've even heard Koreans say "bye-bye" to each other.

■ concrete nouns

The children will understand if you show a picture of a cat and say, "This is a cat."

You will be amazed at how many things you can do with one word. You can bring in alphabet tiles and have the kids take turns spelling CAT. You can spell CAT in Braille and sign language. You can take turns drawing pictures of a cat. You can say "cat" in a loud voice, in a soft voice, in a high voice, and in a low voice. You can read books about cats. You can show different pictures of cats.

You can make songs out of the letters of the words.
This is to the tune of "Old MacDonald":

Old MacDonald had a word, E-I-E-I-O.
And in that word he had a C, E-I-E-I-O.
With a /k/ /k/ here and a /k/ /k/ there,
Here a /k/, there a /k/, ev'rywhere a /k/ /k/,
Old MacDonald had a word, E-I-E-I-O.

This is to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell":

The C says /k/, the C says /k/,
Ev'ry letter has its sound, the C says /k/.

This is to the tune of "Oh, Susannah!":

O the C says /k/, the C says /k/,
The C says /k/ /k/ /k/,
O the C says /k/, the C says /k/,
The C says /k/ /k/ /k/.

Kindergarten kids love to get individual attention. If you ask for a volunteer to draw a picture or spell a word, they will shoot their hands up and yell, "Cho yo! Cho yo!" (That means "Me! Me!") But here is one important warning: If the child takes too long, don't just sit and wait. If you do, the Devil will find work for idle hands.

Rather, you can make up a sentence for the rest of the kids to recite. If the child is taking a long time spelling the word, you can say, "Let's help Nathan spell CAT." Then spell the word in sign language. If you pronounce each letter rather than say each letter name, the children might find it amusing.

If the child is drawing a picture, you can slap your knees and rhythmically say, "Sally is drawing a cat! Sally is drawing a cat!"

■ verbs

About halfway through the lesson, you should provide a gross motor activity. You can play action songs such as "Charlie Over the Ocean" or "Ring Around the Rosy." Or you can incorporate the subject matter of the lesson by saying "Let's march for the cat" or "Let's run for the dog."

The children will stand up when you stand up and sit down when you sit down.
One time, I had to hurriedly stand up because I was getting a cramp in my leg. So the children stood up with me.

Some people might say that I should have put this category earlier in the message.
Westerners allegedly think about nouns the most, whereas Asians allegedly think about verbs the most.

■ musical activities

Most people seem to think kindergarten children can't do any more than sing and play rhythm instruments, but they can do much more than that.
They are fascinated with keyboard instruments, but adults restrain them from keyboard instruments because they can't stand the "racket."

There are lots of songs in English which use just two notes.
Show a picture of a cuckoo.
Then point to the keys while a child plays:



I have a collection of comparably easy folk songs in English.
If you would like for me to share that collection with you, write back.

Or, you can make up two-note songs of your own, conveying messages such as "Paul is wearing blue" or "Suzy has a doll."
You don't have to be Beethoven to do that.

[Smee]

Tomato:
thanks for all the good advice over the years!

Just a heads up: many of the links have "edit post" in the URL, and I'm not able to get to them.

[tomato]

Thank you, Smee!

I discovered my mistakes at about the same time you posted your message.
I just finished going over that list with a fine tooth comb.
The list should be nice and clean this time.
If it isn't, write agaoin.

[trinity24651]

Thank you tomato! I'm sorry that it was (obviously) a repeat question. So often when I type in what I want in a search, I get info on Geraldo Rivera or the Cuban missile crisis or something totally out in left field.

[Scott in Incheon]

One of the biggest things with Kindie is routines. The kids may not be able understand English but they can be taught routines quite easily. And routines make the day easier for them to understand. They should what to do when they enter the room. You need a way of calling them to a circle...to gather them together when you need them. You need a way of getting them to sit quietly...

Practice these things a lot so they know what is expected of them.

One thing I have used is a single word and response for circle. You say one word...the kid say its partner and they know it is time for to form a circle. I would yell 'AKOOMA' (spelling) and the kids make the cirlce and say 'MATATA' (spelling)...from Lion King. Any two words would work.

Then you can do the same for a line...if you make a lot of lines in class.

Break the class down into sections...circle...song...dance...alphabet...play....whatever...

Then the kids always know what is coming up and what is expected of them.

Routines mean control in a kindie classroom.

[trinity24651]

Thank you, Scott. This also sounds like something I could use!!

[frankly speaking]

Most likely, the school will have its routines in place. You should talk to the teacher that you are replacing. You will also find things that work for you by experimenting, failing and trying something different.

YOu will have students of different levels of ability and different levels of absorption. Some students will cling to you and others won't.

Talk clearly and use gestures to mimicry your statements.

For example, if you say "Open your books. " Say it loud and clear with a smile on your face. Repeat it and show the gesture of opening your book.

Sesame street English is a pretty good series for kindies. If they have been studying a year or 2 allready they will probably have phonics classes for them.

Try and find a CD or cassette of favorite kids songs. I have my favorites and I create actions that go along with them. Story time is good. Bring your favorite childrens books and read to them. Discussing pictures and having pantamimes are good.

Repeat lessons and review is very good also. If your school has a solid director and head teacher, you will not have many problems. Without a good curriculum and structure at the school, you will have to do a lot. Which is difficult without experience and knowledge of language acquisition and cognitive developement.

It sounds like you are getting ready for everything and that is a good thing. But relax and wait until you get to the job. Plan ahead but go with the flow when you get here. It will be hard for a while. If you can accept that then you will be fine.

I think that you will be a good teacher and will be ok. You seem to keep asking the right questions and have a good attitude. Keep posting throughout the year of teaching. I really want to hear how you develop and grow. It reminds me of myself a few years ago.

[butlerian]

[tomato]

Butlerian, you will have to start another thread and tell us how you got a job with a long vacation.

[trinity24651]

I'll be counting on y'all to help me!!! And I will definitely be on here a lot!!

[butlerian]