Korean Job Discussion Forums

[PeterDragon]

Finally found a co-teacher who is willing to teach me Korean--- on the condition that I help her "improve her vocabulary". Her speaking level is about that of an average native English speaking eight-year old---- solid, but with mild grammer problems and problems with proper terms/connotations, etc....

Can anyone recommend a good book or online curriculum? In this case, an online curriculum that costs money would be acceptable (within reason), because any money I spend on teaching my co-teacher is really money I'm spending on Korean lessons for myself.

[richardlang]

http://www.cup.cam.ac.uk/asia/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521656252

I looked through this text at Libro the other day. It's a very common Cambridge press teaching text. It looked very good for teaching elementary skilled learners. This book was colored deep red in the book store. The image on this url is lighter.

[PeterDragon]

I'll look for that at the local bookstore in Anseong first. If they don't have it and can't order it, how does one get to Libro? Is it at Kyobo as well?

[VirginIslander]

I read books and novels with girlfriend and her friend. Check out the Penguin series (Im using the same books with my students)

By reading, she will acquire a lot more vocab and she'll see it in context.

Plus, it might be interesting to have a book club. Ger more students. Assign some pages and you can write up comprehension questions to discuss.

[PeterDragon]

Since I'm teaching one on one, the novel might be a better route.

Especially because novels provide proper context for vernacular/colloquial language, something most ESL textbooks don't touch on but probably should.

What novels do you use? the first ones that spring to mind for me are the Harry Potter books, because my co-teacher has already read them in korean (same with Lord of the Rings), and some of Dave Barry's recent novels, because they're entertaining, easy to digest and are full of very intelligent use of contemporary language and sayings. Possible Freakenomics, as well. And the MASH novel. I'll have to brainstorm on this.

[VirginIslander]

I dont read too much fiction--and haven't read much in a year or two -but I do like Jack London.

If it was my class, I would read The Call of the Wild, White Fang, Walden and some Tolstoy. Then I read Into the Wild and I would discuss how the first set of books influenced the young man in Into the Wild.

That would keep me going for two-three months.

Also, the Poisonwood Bible is another one of my recent favorites.

She probably likes Oprah. You could read what she is reading, too

Whatthebook.com

Excellent book store.

[Ya-ta Boy]

If you go the novel route, may I suggest short stories rather than novels. More variety.

I can fully recommend either The Best American Short Stories or the O. Henry Prize Stories. Both series are available in Korea.

Each story is roughly 20 pages. Each volume has 20 or more stories. You have top class writers dealing with a large variety of themes and subjects in each volume.