Korean Job Discussion Forums

Mary-Jane · Joined: 22 Mar 2006

Right, I'm in Korea and preparing to work at a nice looking hagwon. It seems that in my job some of the classes consist of just one male student. I think he's about 14 or 15. Can anyone share some advice on how to break the ice with him, and what sort of games and activities would work well? I'm guessing that I'm going to have to do a lot of talking and partner him through any games... I can do that... just don't want to bore the kid or be talking to a stony wall of silence...

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

Right now I'm teaching a class of two 14 year old girls. I found that the best way to break the ice is to make yourself accessible as a human being. Tell him a little about yourself. Maybe show him some pictures of your hometown, your friends, etc. And the sooner you can make your students laugh, the sooner they'll be on your side. I like having a class of two because it's much easier to be goofy and just generally be yourself because you really don't have to worry about discipline problems.

You could also try a game like Scrabble. Korean kids are so competitive, he'll probably start really getting into it despite himself.

Delirium's Brother · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 6:15 am Post subject:

You could ask what things he likes, and shape your lessons around his interests/hobbies. It's a lot of work to do that, but it would probably win you a lot of points.

peace,

Pak Yu Man · Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Location: The Ida galaxy

If he's a guy he's playing computer games. Find out what he lays and start from there.

alabamaman · Joined: 25 Apr 2006

mnhnhyouh · Joined: 21 Nov 2006 Location: The Middle Kingdom

I find that simple magic tricks work well to break the ice.

Get a glue stick lid that fits over your thumb, and hold it up above a clenched fist.

Put your fist with capped thumb sticking out under your other armpit. When it is hidden there, drop your thumb into your palm, take the lid into your hand, and take your thumb back out. Then take your fist out from under your arm with naked thumb sticking out. They think you have it under your arm.

Then, with thumb still rigidly sticking out, put your fist into your pocket. When it is hidden, stick thumb into cap, bring it out, make thumb rigid, and then bring fist out of pocket. Now they think you have two.

Stick it back under your armpit and make it go away again. Now go over to student,, and put your hand behind their head, and make it come back out.

Easy skills, and works first time.

Just make sure the thumb is rigid when ever they can see it, and that the cap fits nicely and can still be hidden inside clenched fist.

Now the ice is broken, and you can get back to serious work.

h

mnhnhyouh · Joined: 21 Nov 2006 Location: The Middle Kingdom

After that I always make sure that the students know how I did it. My part for increasing skepticism of charlatans in the world.

h

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

Here's some advice:

Open the book and teach. If he doesn't like it, he can go take Englishee somewhere else. Really. Don't give yourself a headache with "I wonder what games I can play?" Start the class with conversation, get down to teaching out of the book, and end the class with a card game or something if you want.

michi gnome · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Location: Dokdo

have the head teacher come in & give 'em a few good cracks on the top of his skull.

that'll learn 'em

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

If he's at an advanced level and likes science I'd try this: http://www.amazon.com/Anarchist-Cookbook-C-066-William-Powell/dp/0962303208