Korean Job Discussion Forums

[shantaram]

Hmm, I tried explaining to my co-teacher that going into a shop and asking "Where is the pencil?" is incorrect. I explained that shops stock many pencils at a time, so "Where are the pencils?" is better. However she wants the phrase to remain singular because she feels it is too difficult for the students to learn plurals at this stage (elementary school). Okay, even though on the next page we have a dialogue about asking for a discount. She asked me why it says "Where is the pencil?" in textbooks and I explained that context is important. My question here is, where do you draw the line over these kind of mistakes? Explaining the problem to her is kind of like banging my head on a brick wall. So I want to let it go, but I know I will grind my teeth every time I hear "Where is the pencil?" used incorrectly. It is part of a role play which will be filmed and put on the school website. Another thing, I think she should not be doing her job and I am sick of correcting her dozens of mistakes. Should I just let them all go so she can be seen for the low-level speaker she really is? Everyone around here thinks she is some English master or something. She is the head of English at my school, but cannot write a sentence without making a mistake. She is also an extremely nervous and unintelligible speaker. How should I deal with her? Continue to correct her mistakes all the time, or just let them go?

[cbclark4]

It's probably the same with Pronunciation you really can't get the KT to pronounce the words correctly, your only chance is to attempt to influence the students during your encounter with them. I spent a good 15 minutes trying to get a an 'f' and a 'v' sound instead of the 'p' and the 'b' from a KT the other day. it takes only a few tries with most of the students.

I know as soon as the KTs get hold of them for a phonics drill they un-teach the whole thing, but hopefully repetition from me will work.

I have one or two kids who can't get the teeth into proper position, but I still try.

cbc

[ajuma]

[kat2]

Dont' take it out too hard on your coteacher. At most schools the principal decides who will teach English, and its not based on who has the best English or who is qualified. Same for teaching assignements for all the teachers. Getting assigned English teacher for the year is the most dreaded by all the teachers. She may have had no choice in the matter. In my school there are at least 5 teachers who have better english tahn my coteacher.

[ilovebdt]

[nobbyken]

The kids will learn very easily.
It is often surprising and encouraging at how well they pick things up.
Just present it in an interesting and captivating manner.

Even old dogs can learn new tricks.

[Bibbitybop]

Don't you mean "Where are the sharps?"

[shantaram]

I really want the pencil now so I can stick it into my eye.

Oh well, just another week of co-teaching.

[oskinny1]

Teach them correct English, screw what your co says. All I seem to do is damage control from what they were wrongly taught in the past.