Korean Job Discussion Forums

[daz1979]

Hi,

I have been teaching without the aid of any books for the past 4 months and am now running out of ideas for what to teach. I spoke to my boss today and told him my concerns and stated that I would prefer to have structure to my lessons by having a book available to use for my classes instead of frantically searching the internet every evening/morning. My boss seems to be OK with this; however, he said we will look at it after the summer break. I can't wait that long as I'm running low on ideas and therefore I was wondering what books everyone uses in class.

Our school already uses Smart English; however, I'm not allowed to use these as they are for the K teachers only.

Also, I'm thinking of heading to Seoul to buy some books this weekend and wondered if anyone can recommend where to buy a decent English book or three.

Thanks in advance,

Daz


p.s I've never been to Seoul so directions would be a big bonus

[pest2]

I got a book for my PS English summer camp because Im sick of making lesson plans all the time. Got it at Kyobo bookstore in Seoul (same bldg as China and Australia Embassy). They have many many Conversation books, but I got "real life stories".

[OiGirl]

How old are your students? What is their level? How often do you see them?

[ajuma]

Before you start looking for a book for your students, try to get a look at a copy of Smart English. Notice what topics they cover then find a book which covers the same material but in a slightly different style (maybe different grammar, vocab, context). Whatever THEY'RE teaching, you teach the same thing the following week. The kids (I'm assuming that they're kids!) will feel "smart" because they've already covered the topic, but hopefully they won't be bored since the structure will be somewhat different.

[daz1979]

[daz1979]

[pest2]

[peacemaker]

Bandi and Luni's also has a nice selection of English books. There are two locations I know of. One is in COEX mall (Samseong Stn.) and the other is inside of Jongak Stn. (Blue line). Good luck!

P.S. If you've lived in Korea for 4 months and haven't been to Seoul yet, you're missing out!

[icicle]

[rokricky]

[Jizzo T. Clown]

Don't write off the internet as a source of teaching material! Sites like www.esnips.com -- search for ESL, ddeubel's got lots of stuff you can use.

In this case, I think it would do you well to plan out a curriculum--nothing too inflexible, but somewhat structured so you have a general idea of what you're teaching every week (think of planning in terms of weeks). For example, Week 1: Monday-Wednesday, talk about rooms in the house, furniture, etc. Thursday review, songs, etc, and Friday pronunciation exercises, more review, games, etc...just thinking off the top of my head here...

In my case, I was told that everything is up to me, and my boss needed a plan for the last two months of school for all of my classes. Rather than freak out about it, I just looked in the table of contents of some beginner books (which luckily I brought with me) for topics to plan my courses. I use the same topics for both levels but alter the structures/vocab that I'm teaching. Works like a charm. The only problem is that it's taking longer than I expected to get through the material, but I guess that's public school for you!

[daz1979]

[quote="Jizzo T. Clown"]Don't write off the internet as a source of teaching material! Sites like www.esnips.com -- search for ESL, ddeubel's got lots of stuff you can use.quote]


I was on that site last night, most of the material seemed a little advanced for my kids or required the use of a computer for powerpoint (which my hagwon doesn't have in the class) I didn't view it all but will have another look tomorrow.

[ttompatz]

[quote="daz1979"]

[meangradin]

Why don't you use the topics for each unit from Smart English? I know you are not allowed to teach the books, but wouldn't it make sense to have conversation classes that reinforce the material they study. I really like the Smart English books, but they really have no speaking component, so it would be perfect if you had conversations to go over and use the vocabulary and grammar structures they have been studying. However, what level are you teaching? I don't have conversation classes with any student who is below SE 3.1 as it is a waste of time. That is not to say that I dont talk to the younger students, but it a much shorter and simpler class than a true "conversation" class.

As I said earlier, SE is a great system for developing listening skills, but is lacking in developing conversation skills, so it would be beneficial, not to mention, sound pedegogy, to supplement the deficit with your class.

[ajuma]