Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ShadowEdge]

Before leaving for Korea in March, I'd like to have as much information on teaching ESL as I can; I don't have any kind of certification. Can you reccomend me a short list of books that relate to teaching ESL and teaching in general (I have no experience whatsoever)? Preferably something that can be order online through Amazon or barnesandnoble.com.

Also I'm looking for a couple of titles on beginners Korean. I'm currently using Rosetta Stone, so anything that can supplement that would be great.

Finally, if you have any links to sites that may contain helpful information it would be appreciated.

Sorry if this has been covered before, I seem to be unable to use the search function at the moment.

[SunnyD]

Language Shock

Did I do that link right?

This is Language Shock. There are many books like this, and I can't find the one I read, but this looks similar. It's a book on conversing with people from other cultures, and how things can be misconstrued even if both parties are speaking the same language and supposedly understanding each other. It's one of those read between the lines things. No matter how well you/they speak English, and how well you/they speak the other language, there will be some degree of a language/cultural barrier. Understanding that there will be misunderstandings will help you to accept your experiences with people, to just go with it, learn from it, respect those you interact with, and feel enriched from the conversation.

SunnyD

[Scouse Mouse]

I have a piece of software called Readwrite Korea that is very good for teaching hangul.

I also purchased this book. It only arrived yesterday so I have not had much chance to read it, but it comes with great reviews and includes plenty of instruction on teaching ESL, planning lessons, and testing students. It is pretty much a TESOL course without the certificate at the end

[jazblanc77]

The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Think as you might that I am joking, I am dead derious.

[Fat_Elvis]

Jim Scrivener's "Learning Teaching" is a very good introduction to teaching English.

[Meggiebea]

American/korean Contrasts: Patterns And Expectations in the U.s. And Korea by Susan Oak and Virginia Martin

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/105-4731502-1120428?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=korean+american+contrast

This is to prepare you for the cultural differences. It covers everything from what Korean eat for breakfast to the proper way of refusing a drink to things we think are exceptable but are rude in Korea.

[peanut]

I've only been here a week and don't think any books could have prepared me. Reading the message boards here helped a lot with the cultural differences etc. I've never taught english before but did take a methods in teaching foreign languages class in college. That wasn't much help either since most of the teaching methods here (repeating and memorization) go against everything I learned. Use this board, despite many of the negative posts I have found it to be a wealth of knowledge.

Search Youtube and you can find korean lessons. Two good ones are Let's Speak Korean and I think the other is Learn to speak korean. Just do a search for "speak korean" and "learn korean", you'll find them.

Hope this helps. I've only been here a week and love it. (ask me again in another month and it might change)

[mercury]

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

[ajuma]

[Son Deureo!]

If you're interested in learning Korean, check out Elementary Korean and Sogang University's free virtual course.

[passport220]

How to Teach English by Jeremy Harmer

others
http://www.eccthai.com/training/celtabooks.asp

[ella]

ShadowEdge, it doesn't say where you're from, but Literacy Volunteers of America has information about ESL teaching and might let you observe a class or two and look at their materials. Look them up online to see if there's a chapter near you, if you're in the U.S.

For general cultural information, I found ''Learning to Think Korean: A Guide to Living and Working in Korea,'' by L. Robert Kohls, and, ''Korean Business Etiquette: The Cultural Values And Attitudes That Make Up The Korean Business Personality,'' by Boye De Mente, to be very helpful. Both are available at Amazon.