Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rymr66]

hi there,

i've only been teaching for less than 2 months and i have been having problems getting my kids speaking and having conversations. most of the time they just answer with i don't know, or have nothing to say when i bring up a subject in class or show them a picture. does anyone have any helpful hints for getting the kids more active and more talkative in class.

[TheChickenLover]

Go to a book store. Pick up a few books on teaching methodology for children. Read them carefully and apply their theories in your classroom as well as activity ideas.

Cost, around 15,000 won.

Problem solved.


Chicken

[garykasparov]

This picture above should get them to talk. If they don't, I wish you the best of luck.

[MarionG]

I had a lot of problems in the beginning too. I remember one class..."what's your favorite food?" I asked? I got two answers..."water," and "rice."

If the answers are "I don't know," the response from you is a slowly and well articulated "What do you know?" They won't understand what you mean, but when you ask 4 or 5 times, and then (to boys) says "Weeelllll, (obviously putting on your "thinking cap") do you know anything about soccer?" the boys will answer. It's a bit more challenging with the girls. Talk to them about where they got their pencil case, how many friends should a girl have, etc .

[MarionG]

And Harry Potter, don't forget Harry Potter! Ask them to say "Hermione," then tell them how it's really pronounced! (Her my' uh knee) My students were amazed! Ask them about Ron Weasley, Hagrid etc.

[wylies99]

[nomad-ish]

my kids love music and music videos, u could always show them one and ask what it's about and then try giving them the lyrics and talking about them.

[rymr66]

i just wanted to say thanks for everyone who took the time to give me some suggestions. i will definitely give as many of them a try. it's funny because i ask them about food a lot and i was starting to figure out that it was more than a coincidence that they were all eating rice and water. happy new year everyone. big thanks and cheers.

[Ruraljuror]

Wow all these responses and no one has found the Rosetta Stone yet:

It's Starcraft for boys, boy bands for girls. Ask the boys which race is better and why; terran, zerg or protoss and you will have a full scale riot on your hand as they argue amongst themselves. Ask the girls who is better, Super Junior or Big Bang. Make sure they speak only in English and always ask follow-up questions (like "Why is Big Bang better than Super Junior?") so they can practice higher-level thinking skills. This will almost certainly work...

Of course some classes just won't talk no matter what you do. Either keep trying and keep going down in flames until another teacher takes the class (the honorable route) or give up on the class and just kill the 40 minutes however possible (not at all honorable but certainly *understandable* some times).

Good luck

[Ruraljuror]

Also, I've heard it's a bad idea to post your real name on these boards so you may want to edit that out of your last post.

But it was certainly nice to meet you, Henry Blankenship.

[rymr66]

thanks again for the tip.

rymr