Korean Job Discussion Forums

[butlerian]

I decided to teach using a textbook today instead of my usual more relaxed approach, and I felt that the students learned a lot more than previously. However, after the lesson I was informed by my co-teacher that the students found the lesson boring and so I shouldn't use a textbook anymore. I know it's important to make lessons fun, but I tried to do that through the use of dialogues and getting the students to come to the front and ask each other questions etc.

I recently chose to renew my contract at the school, but I'm now feeling that whatever I do it seems to displease some of my co-teachers. If I make the lessons "too fun" through the use of games, the students become too rowdy and even the Korean teachers don't like that as they're not very capable of controlling the class. If I remove games from the lesson, I'm told it's too boring for them. I'm at a loss for what to do sometimes. I'm thinking high school might be better - any thoughts/ideas?

[cbclark4]

I mix it up a bit. I find if I'm bored they're bored.

My students like a little off he cuff discussion at the start.

A review of my best stuff from lessons past, pronunciation practice.

Then a lesson of some sort maybe involving a game.

Then a review of the lesson, closing with discussion of the lesson.

By the way I think your doing a terrific job.

Let them think what they want, you can see if your students are improving.

Can they pronounce "L","R","F","V". Can they say thirty three.

cbc

[Alyallen]

[icicle]

My immediate thought about this was that using a textbook is not necessarily boring ... And using games in the lesson is also not necessarily engaging (not boring) ... Both can be ...
engaging and both can be boring ...

It might be worthwhile to think about what was different in how you taught the lesson ... Or thinking about whether or not you think all of the students were actively involved or engaged with the lesson ...

This may also just be what one teacher thinks ... about the lesson ... OR it might really have been boring ...

I will write more when I get back from my class ...

Icicle

[shantaram]

Jaemiyae chuketa.

[Colorado]

I'm in the same boat. A few months into my second contract at the same public middle school. I understand what you're going through. Some days I aim for the target, but miss it entirely. I try to chalk it up to experience. Learn from my mistakes. You can usually tell by the kids' reactions if something works or not. Sometimes you just don't know if it's going to work until you try it and then tweak it a bit, change a few things. I teach one lesson for level 1 and another for level 2, and I teach the same two lessons all week. By Friday, the lesson that maybe wasn't wasn't too hot on Monday has improved considerably. Trial and error, review and reflection, modification.
And you can use the textbook as a reference point, add some spin and spice to it, include some kind of game to make it more interesting.

[icicle]

[Jizzo T. Clown]

I feel ya, I've had the same problem. When my CT said the students were not interested, I simply said, "Wht do you recommend?" That way, if the next lesson fell on its face, the CT could share in the blame. Seems to have worked, now we actually go over what we're going to be doing the next week to determine if the material is "interesting" or not. He also has a vested interest in helping to make the class interesting. Would write more but my students are here now!

[ChuckECheese]

This is exactly why I would never ever teach at Korean public school.

You have 4 or even 22 Koreans telling you how to teach when they themselves don't know didley shiat about English.

Just collect your pay check and ignore them.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

What far more important than whether it's fun is whether it's interesting and stimulating. I also like the 'well what do you suggest?' line. Some parts of language acquisition are difficult and require focused attention, and this may not be 'fun' to all MS students. Unfortunately there are some basics that are hard to get across with games and songs.

If you're doing no activities that your students would label as 'fun' or if you're doing only such activities there's probably something very wrong with your approach.

[icicle]

[butlerian]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Jizzo T. Clown]

Banging a stick works, but I use a method my old elementary school teacher employed: teach them to put one finger over their mouth and the other hand in the air when you do. The silence effectively spreads like a ripple.

I've only been in PS a short time, but I believe that constant communication between CTs is key. After each class, I ask my CT what went well and how we could've improved the class. Our CTs have many years of teaching experience as well as experience with Korean students, so they really are a wealth of information.

When all else fails, I just play dumb: "I just don't understand what you're saying, HOW can we make the classes more interesting?" or "I guess I just don't understand how we can motivate EVERY student. What do you usually do?"

They seem to like giving me "advice."Of course there has to be a balance or you'll be perceived as incompetent. I do have to stand my ground on occasion.

[butlerian]