Korean Job Discussion Forums

[n�fara]

I teach a kindergarten class in public school once a week for half an hour. Whenever I've talked with people who've taught kindy, they mention how quick students are to soak up language at that age.

And I think, "Great!"

But I've been finding that at 1/2 an hour once a week does not enable them to absorb the language that, say, classes every day would accomplish. (obviously? )

So I was just wondering if someone could give me a reality check and tell me what might be the most effective things to teach the students during this short time. Would I be overly ambitions trying to introduce phonics? (many already know the alphabet, but some are complete beginners) Or should I concentrate on speaking? Or vocab? Or a fantastical mixture thereof? The kids enjoy songs, and simple games, although they fall apart with anything competitive (poor losers at this age). There are about 12 students who range in age from 4 - 6.


This might seem like an obvious question, but I also teach elementary, middle school, and beginner adults in addition to this one kindergarten class, and my focus is a bit spread out. My prior experience with kindy is nil.

I would appreciate any suggestions by those with experience. What can be accomplished in a 1/2 hour class once a week? I think I need some inspiration.

[Katchafire]

Phonics yes - Alphabet song, choose one or two letters a day (you can find free printable workbooks - perhaps color for homework). Also search phonics songs - sesamestreet.com etc.
Pick a theme Eg Body parts - Head, Shoulders song - pin the arm/leg/nose (whatever) on the _____ ?
Animals - Old Mc Donald song.
There are free printable flash cards also online. Printed, cut and laminated would provide you with a few sets to play snap, go fish, memory.
Days of the week - plenty of these songs can be found online - and again flashcards, coloring in activites.

Get straight into a routine. A greeting song - which might then eventually be adapted to include the childrens' names - and again a goodbye song. Group them and make sure their good behaviour is frequently rewarded with stickers. (Stickers and stickersheets can also be found online if googled).
Don't spend your valuable short class time trying to keep ALL students on task, instead reward like CRAZY and make an example of, a big fuss of the students who are doing as asked. Lil kids of that age dont like to see everyone else getting stickers, rewards and attention when they aren't - so will quickly settle down and 'fall in line' (so to speak).

That should keep you going for a while. I worked with Pre-School kids for 15 yrs back home - so if you get stuck again, or have any more questions - do feel free to PM me.

Good luck .. and have FUN FUN FUN!!!

[icicle]

I am teaching Kindy in a Hagwon rather than public school ... But doing it for several hours each morning over 2 different classes ... Looking at the things that they really do enjoy the most it is the singing especially with actions / movement ... So in your position I would probably use songs that they have a chance to get used to as the centre of what I was doing ... and probably with only half and hour maybe build the rest of the lesson on the song ... Including a simple worksheet / colouring activity ... Keeping things simple really is the key especially with the range of abilities you are describing ... There is a big difference between students like the ones we have in my hagwon who are being taught in mainly English for 4+ hours a day and students who are in a traditional Korean kindergarten who may get the 1/2 hour a week ... So at the conversation level I would probably keep it simple - to things like What is your name? ... But the main focus in your half hour I think should really be in letting the students have fun with English ... and with you ... rather than trying to reach some specific objectives ...

Icicle

[n�fara]

Thanks icicle and Gordana for the replies! They are very helpful.

I especially like the ideas a routine, and songs. I have incorporated a few songs that I remember from back when I was young, and so far they've been a success. "Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes," "Open - Shut," and the like.

One thing I would really like is a good greeting song. I've looked up a few, but haven't found one that really speaks to me.

[anyangoldboy]

Activities where they can act and play and copy what you are doing is good...

Like in a song...Ring a ring a roses would be an example where they can sing and act etc...

[anyangoldboy]

either that or get them to shove crayons up their noses and see if they get smarter

[n�fara]

[tomato]

In ESL methods class, I was taught that early foreign language experience is ineffective unless it's really intense.

And in that case, boy, is it!
I have a primary school student who just moved from Seoul, where she attended an English kindergarten staffed entirely by wegukins.
She can converse like crazy. No teacher-pencil-no's or teacher-hwajangshil's from her.

If I were you, I would clamor for more time.

[DongtanTony]

nifara...

One of my personal favorite kindy sites is http://www.genkienglish.net/

They have a great "phonics alphabet song."

You can also find the full version of this song on youtube.com
[url]
http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=xWEiZ0IXOj8[/url]

It does take some practice...and teaching...but there's a middle part to the song that helps that learning curve...they'll be singing the whole song in no time.

There are also some great songs like, "Left and Right," "Genki Disco Warm-up," among others. You may feel like a tool...learn them...practice them...develop a routine...your kids will love it.

You can also expand a bunch of these lessons with their free worksheets and supplements...they paid membership package isn't ridiculously expensive...but it will run you about $120.00 USD. Maybe you could get clearance with your management for reimbursement...or have them purchase it themselves.

You'll get a bunch of mp3s and access to other materials.

Some of it's great...some not so great...but they have a great list of songs that are more "hard rock" and active than the typical kindy curriculum.

I haven't met a kindy kid...or young elementary kid for that matter...who hasn't had a little bit of fun during these songs.

I usually supplement with flash cards...or board writing...repeating...actions...practice the song...and all the time, speaking speaking speaking, repeating repeating repeating.

This site should help you get through 30 minutes a week...good luck!!

[Cerriowen]

Keep in mind that kids have an attention span of about 3 to 8 minutes before they get really bored.

Break your 30 minutes into sections.

Intro... Try finding a hello song. "Say Hello, Hello, How are you today? I am fine thank you, how are you?"

HELLO! What's your name? How are you today? (Low level kids bring in colored pictures with the word... happy angry sad shy Write their name on the board with a quick face to show which mood they are in.

What's the weather like today?" and then pictures of weather... Sunny, Windy, Cloudy, Snowy, Rainy. Ask... is it... Snowy? Noooo. Is it Rainy? Yes! What day is it today? What is the date today?

Kids love singing... Teach them very silly songs and have them help you invent hand movements, or teach them. Dance with them. Itsy Bitsy spider. Bingo. Hokey-Pokey.

After listening to and singing a new song, ask them to vote for an old song everyone knows, and they choose what to sing.

Vocabulary building... bring in flash cards. Have a theme each month. Plan to teach them 5 new words, and review the ones from the last lesson. Ask questions "What is it? It's a cow! What does a cow say? Moooo! Can a cow fly? No! Can a cow walk? Yes! What color is it?" What is it? It's an A! What sound does A make? What word begins with A? If they don't know the words, just have them repeat the answers from you. Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!!!

Then a goodbye song or something to say "Good bye! Good bye! I will see you next week! Gooood job!"

You just have to plug in the song and the vocab flashcards for each lesson.