Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mehamrick]

So I start the new public school semester trying to get the kids to write a short journal. 5th and 6th grade. Nothing complicated just some basic writing. Get them used to doing it kind of thing. The school is borderline country by the way.

The K-teachers start out by saying its too hard, they can't do it. I say well lets let them try. Finally after enough biatching I give in and go to a printed journal where they have to copy it (my thinking they will at least practice writing a complete sentence) and fill in the blanks. If they didnt know a word they could look it up. Needless to say that didnt go over very well. So today I said the hell with it and went back to the basics of lets just learn vocab. I am not talking the English word with a Korean word next to it. I am making them write an English word with the Korean and English definition next to it. I know they know some words, but they have no clue as to what they mean.

Before I even finish explaining it I get the It's too hard for them they can't do it.. I calmly set my things down and said tough f**in shit they will get over it.

Am I wrong? Is there a better way? I think I have gone as basic as basic will allow me.

Constructive advice please........

[ilovebdt]

Isn't it annoying? I forget the number of times my PS teachers have said to me that some exercise or other was too difficult for them. I said the same as you I say let the students try.

Nine times out of ten once they understand exactly what is expected of them and they have overcome their initial reluctance because it is something new, they do ok.
I have never abandoned an exercise because the K teacher said it was too hard.

I think the pre-printed journals with a sentence for them to complete are a good idea and then they can work their way up to writing their own sentences. With lots of praise and encouragement for their work they will get there.

When your co-teacher tells you that something is too hard, just nod your head, smile sweetly and carry on as normal.

ilovebdt

[mehamrick]

Hehe... I found this on naver as a definition of do


do
1 VERB When you do something, you take some action or perform an activity or task. Do is often used instead of a more specific verb, to talk about a common action involving a particular thing. For example you can say `do your teeth' instead of `brush your teeth'. I was trying to do some


I know you can "do your girlfriend/boyfriend" but do your teeth? I cant say I have ever heard of that one.

[ChuckECheese]

[ilovebdt]

Where I come from you can do the dishes, do the washing, do your hair.
Also, you can have a lady that does.

ilovebdt

[mehamrick]

[ilovebdt]

Yes that too.

ilovebdt

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Bear in mind that the KTs probably can't write a coherent journal paragraph themselves. The 'it's too difficult' thing is especially frustrating at high school where they're studying the grammar of paragraphs way beyond their ability with the KTs but making sentences in the simple present is 'too difficult'.

See if you can't get some kids to do it on a voluntary basis, with a decent reward for any decent effort (e.g. a lolipop or something like that). One of the fantastic things about getting your kids writing is that you find out exactly what their real ability is, and believe me, a few of them will really surprise me.

[Scotticus]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Ryst Helmut]

[ddeubel]

You guys are ALL putting the cart before the horse....

Nobody in their right mind should be writing sentences/journal entries when they can't speak with some semblance of "communicative competence". Doing so too early, will just stunt them.

Focus on speaking, small groups. Use lots of pictures. If you do have to prep for a test, etc....have them constantly vocalize the passages and writing. Use aspireReader from cast.org and have them use this on their computers at home as begining writers.

But focus on comunication through speech, then much later the writing. If the Korean teacher pushes for something different, use the old nod and dodge technique....

DD

[Privateer]

Start slow, with some sentence patterns and vocabulary. Give them some building blocks. Give them some set phrases too. Then put it together into a simple composition as a model for them and have them emulate. Then have them do a few structurally similar compositions but on different themes using different vocab. Baby steps.

That should only be one part of a varied class, where they get to do speaking, vocabulary, games, grammar, listening, drawing, reading, and all sorts.

It takes time for them to put it all together and rise to the next level, when they'll be able to do what you're talking about (not counting any kids who are already there and don't belong in your class).

[OiGirl]

[OiGirl]