Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fizban]

In a nutshell this is my first time teaching English. And my first job is teaching conversational English at a public high school.

Today is about half over. And glossing over non-school issues, I'm filling a bit overwhelmed. I haven't done anything yet. Today is the first day of class and all I had to do was an introduction during the Opening Ceremony.

It looks like while I'll have different Korean co-teachers for the various grades, I'll be the primary instructor responsible for the planning, development, and execution of the classes. And while it appears they have a lot of material, there's no structured blueprint for me to follow. It's all leaving me feeling a bit like I'm flapping in the wind.

I thought there would be at least a core curriculum for me to build and flesh around. But there's nothing.

Some guidance and a possible blueprint to build upon would be appreciated.

I'm not freaking out but I'm definitely not in the "warm and fuzzy zone".

And if there are any teachers in the Bucheon area, I'm the bewildered Korean guy who doesn't speak Korean wandering the streets.

[ilovebdt]

What you are telling me they don't even have a text book for the students? Try and get hold of that to give you a basis for your lesson plans.

I work at a public high school and like you I wasn't given much guidance, just told to teach speaking and listening.

ilovebdt

[formerflautist]

Me too. I went out and bought a book and try to follow that. The problem is that high schools have all different levels in their classes and it's very hard to cater to that. I play a lot of speaking games, like Taboo and Pictionary. Sometimes I give prompts and make them come up with a three or four sentences to answer the prompt. I've taught them slang, which they liked. We've discussed music, movies, TV, news. You can come up with scripts and get them to practice. I've done short stories, fairy tales, a bit of mythology. Chances are that you will only have them once or twice a week. I usually adjust my plans after my first class of the week. This site is actually a great resource and will give you lots of ideas. The great thing about being the conversation teacher is that you really have no limits as to what you can teach. The problem is adjusting it to the level of your students.

[fizban]

Do you utilize the co-teacher at all? Or do they pretty much just walk into class and expect you to direct them?

For the first class, I thought I would just introduce myself, have the students introduce themselves, and maybe get them to write their names in english/korean and some basic answers to basic questions, and have them speak it and turn it in. It would give me an idea of the general level of English in each class and the level of the student.

Good idea?

Bad?

Thank the heaven for Dave's because I was starting to get saucer sized eyes...and that's hard when you're Asian.

[bosintang]

[ilovebdt]

Ok, a series of books which you might want to look at is:

Let's Talk by Leo Jones. It has discussion and listening exercises on topcis which interest teenagers and young adults.

My high school first graders can manage book 1 really well and the 2nd graders can do book 2 aswell.

ilovebdt

[poet13]

Hey OP. Don't know how often you will see each class, (I see each class every two weeks) but I would start out with...

1st class. Introductions. Let them ask anything they want. About your country, what you like, people in yor family, all that stuff.

2nd class. Ask them about their families, their goals, things they like.

Keep it fast, switch it up from the person to the class a lot.
example.
How many brothers and sister do you have?
2 brothers, no sisters.
Ok, how many people here have one or more brothers?
hlaf the hands go up.
How many people have three or more brothers?
there's always one....
Ok, how many of you have sisters?
half the hands go up....

etc.
I love asking who like kimchi. It shouldn't, but it always surprises me that there are a couple who don't.

[fizban]

Thanks,

For the input. You've gotten me through at least lesson 1.

I don't really stress about the students "eating me alive". It's more a question of me uncomfortable with the lack of direction and structure to the course. They've had a native speaker before, but it's like they've never had one.

Thus far, the limited contact I've had with the students has been good.

They're of course curious about the new English teacher, so I've got the entire "new-itis" status.

And my co-workers seem alright. There's just no "go-to" person for me to ping off of. It's like they expect to jump in and marshal the troops...which is ironic because I'm the 'newbie' ESL teacher.

Any continued advice/strategies/etc will continue to be appreciated.

On a slightly ironic note, I seem to be quite the "flavor of the day" amongst the female population. It'd be flattering if I was 16. As it is...kind of creepy.

[ddeubel]

I'm sure you will do fine. You are doing the right thing, reflecting and asking yourself how you can do a good job. First steps always a good predicator of the future.

I will be giving workshops to teachers in your boat next week. So I'll suggest a few things.

1. Class rules Get chart paper/markers. Make with the first class. I ___________, the teacher, promise to 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Same for the students. Then have them all sign it on another huge piece. Every student.

2. Interview the teacher. Essential first days thing. If you have time, throw some pics on a powerpoint. Show and students form the questions, show again and then they ask.

3. Radio interview show. This one works with all levels. See the Big Town Role cards in my Presentations folder on my site. (also see the big ppts reviewing all sorts of vocab etc.....use these for warmups, they need contact with many words/structures and this will provide it). Make a list of questions using the Big Town role play cards info. Ex.

What --------- your name (s)
Where _____ you from ?
When _____ your birthday?
What ______ you do?
etc........

They can interview you and then give a card to each person and have them interview each other. Then, every class for warm up , chose a person and interview. Go through all the basic questions and then have them expand. They really need this repeated encountering of language.

You might also see some of the karaoke on my site. High schoolers love it and I even have some epic high (in English).

Hope this helps, as a start.

Oh yeah, you should have a class list (see my teaching folder for an editable Hansoft version where you just enter the students names for each class) and a seating plan with their names where each class, in their box you can make little cryptic remarks for reference.....

DD

[mikowee]

I can sympathize, as I have been in the exact same position as you 6 months ago. The lack of direction is overwhelming at first, but you start to settle down and get comfortable after the third week.

My teachers were very good with helping me to adjust. Although there were no textbooks, they took me to a bookstore to find some books that can give me direction. Also, you're doing great by coming onto the forums and getting advice from the experienced vets here, which is something I failed to do when I was starting.

Don't overthink your lessons. Just play it straight from the book at first. As you get more comfortable, you'll begin to come up with your own ideas and teaching style. It's all about the experience, so don't get down on yourself if the classes aren't going as smoothly as you'd hoped. Because they won't. Expect it and learn from it.

The first class is the most important. Make sure you set the proper tone for a learning environment. Don't be too friendly to try and win the kids over. I cannot stress this enough. Keep it serious and professional. After a few weeks the kids will have the right behavior ingrained in them and you can start cracking jokes and being loose with them.

[passport220]

There is a group of us on this board who went through the same thing at the start of last semester. This thread may be helpful to you:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=67913&highlight=

The thread contains ideas we came up for lessons as well as complete lessons and a general discussion on how to get started.