Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hamster20017]

I know that I'm a new teacher and I have a lot to learn, but...

My two main problems are that I don't seem to know the students levels and I'm expecting too much.

example: I get one class who is at the end of their book. I assume that they know most or even some of the vocabulary and constructions in that book. Nope. I wrote a test for the book based on that assumption. I'll give it to them in a few days. We spent 2 classes (we meet twice a week) reviewing. In class, most seemed to do all right...b or c range. In our school, we try to call each student at home and ask them general questions and questions about the lesson we're working on. Today, not one student was able to answer any question over the phone. Not a one.... So, I'm not sure how they're going to do. I even asked the director for advice on how to write the test because I never wrote one before.

example: I get one class of beginners. To be honest, I don't know how beginner they are. I was told the system of how our books work. We came to the part where the students were supposed to read back to me the dialog. I asked them to read and I just got blank stares. My fellow teacher (an experienced Korean teacher) reads a couple of words, then the student repeats, then a few more words, then the student repeats....After the class, she takes me aside and says, "They can't read yet." I'm thinking, "Why do they have a reading book?" Maybe this is the way it is done. Maybe learning at this level just involves parroting back a few words at a time.

finally: I have two adult classes, but I think one quit (because of me). Both classes sat through my class. They seemed to do very well. They were engaged. They answered all my questions mostly right. They looked bored; like the stuff was too easy. So, what do they do right after class? They go into class as say that I'm too difficult, that I use unnecessary and complicated phrases, that I'm teaching them 3 or 4 ways to say the same thing.

So that's me complaining. Please give me advice. I should point out that I do love my job. My directors and fellow teachers are very cool. I'm just not a skilled teacher yet.

James

[Mashimaro]

[oneofthesarahs]

Another tip: Korean mothers are crazy. So if their kid has a reading book, they'll expect them to come home and be able to read whatever the lesson was for that particular day.

I would recommend doing some repetition drills with them. Read a line, have them repeat it. Read another line, have them repeat it. Even if they have no idea what they are reading, kids have good memories, and they'll probably be able to parrot the English back without too much difficulty. It will keep the moms off your back while you're working on phonics and such for the majority of the class so eventually they CAN understand what they're reading.

[wylies99]

Oneofthesarahs- very good advice. The ultimate customers here are the mothers, and they are, well, I hate to say it, but they are CRAZY.

[Lizara]

For the beginners' reading class... if the books aren't WAY above their level... I'd have them listen and repeat a few times first. If they struggle, do it really slowly, a word or two at a time. I always write it on the board so I can point to stuff and sometimes draw pictures or whatever to help with new words. Then I assign them parts in the dialogue... half the class is Sam, the other half is Sally, or whatever works. Then they take turns reading: one kid is Sam, another is Sally, and then change. Start with the best students and give the slower ones lots of help.

Once they've got the general idea, I start erasing words from the dialogue on the board, two or three words at a time depending on what they can handle, and we repeat it again, and then I erase a couple more words, and we repeat, and so on until it's all gone.

If they can do it easily, you can have them make up their own conversations using the same model as the dialogue. for example,
(student's name): "Today's my birthday."
(other student's name): "Happy birthday! How old are you?"
(student): "I'm ____ years old."

[ajuma]

OP, it sounds like you're really trying but the Korean system is messing you up. First question: Do you HAVE to finish (and test on) the book mention in the first question? If you don't, go back and "review" everything!! If you DO have to finish, have the kids hold on to it anyway and flip-flop between the two...reviewing with games things from the first book while "teaching" (as in "paying lip service") to the second.

As for the reading class: Any chance that you actually COULD teach reading...starting with phonics? Just tell the director that you're "reviewing".

Finding the level in an adult class (and coming up with appropriate material that appeals to all the levels in the class) is...well, shall we put a positive spin on it and say "challenging"? One way to find out what the level of an adult class is, is to say "Tell me about yourself." If they have problems with that form of a "question", you know that they're pretty low...as well as if they answer "My name is X. I live in X. My favorite thing is X."

Remember to speak clearly, and try not to use TOO many idioms, complicated grammar structures or phrasal verbs (tough, I know). Read everything you can on teaching ESL both here on Dave's and on other sites. There is a wealth of info out there.

Hang in there..."Fighting"! (as Koreans say!!)

[ddeubel]

Hamster,

I feel for ya. I know your problems might seem insurmountable but I think that the best thing you can do is "narrow".

What I mean by this is, don't try to do too much and satisfy all. As a beginning teacher, prioritize. Have a goal each lesson -- be it grammar (using ....ing present continuous or vocab - The Kitchen or any of the language modes . Or just plain fluency, communacative competence.

Explain the goal to the class every lesson. If they can see it , they will reach. This includes putting up and agenda and keeping the pace varied. In an hour class, you should have atleast 5/6 activities, changes for the lesson. Keeping an agenda on the board, makes it seem atleast that you know what you are doing, are professional and gives students expectation - a powerful teaching tool even if it is only illusion .

About reading. Use phonics as mentioned and guided reading. They follow the text as read. But be sure it is the right level! If they are just mumbling words, this is useless.

Big point -- Personalize! Students feel great, like they are getting somewhere if you can transfer what is being taught into something in their own lives. Always point each lesson goal towards some way of them enacting, practicing it about their own world , lives. We learn by connecting sound/script/thought with our own inner reality. Say you are doing .....ing. Get them to talk about their favourite activities, write a book about them, tell a story using past continuous about their own life etc....

Keep to a book for structure and move away from the book as you gain confidence. A great book for learning how to make your class fun and full of learning is

Keep Talking! -- Communicative Fluency Activities, K. Tippet

A MUST! I learnt so much from it as a beginning teacher.

Sorry for my rambling, hope some of this makes sense....

DD

[trinity24651]

I am a newbie too...how do I start teaching phonics?

[Darkness]

Ya I find as a new teacher, I'm stumbling around some classes, trying to find what to do with the kids...I really thought there would be more training.

My training yesterday consisted of my boss telling me she's been doing this for many years, and told me to repeat 3 X, then get them to repeat to each other 3 X, then back to me 3 X, then each student repeat...

oh ya, that sounds fantastic your many years of teaching is outstanding

[MantisBot]

I felt similarly the first few weeks. I kept thinking "Am I challenging them enough? Do I really know what I'm doing? Are my kids learning?"

Doubt is normal at first. Just keep going and you'll be fine. I've been here since September now and I've learned alot about being a teacher from my students, my coworkers, and myself. Once you get in the swing of things you'll feel much better.

Oh, and students usually do look completely bored. Adults because they'd rather be out partying, teens because their parents force them into hagwons, kids because they'd rather be out playing. It's kind of like the expected response:p Don't let it get you down!

[ajuma]

[princess]

[trinity24651]

Thank you, ajumaj!! You always have the best advice!!