Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mavor]

Hi all.

I have been living here for a month now, and recently my roommate asked me to teach his brother some english at our apartment once a week. I didn't ask him for any money, because 1) it's illegal and 2) I owe it to my roommate.

However, I am not teaching english here.. I am a dance instructor. So, I am at a loss on how to decide on his brothers english proficiency level, and what portions of english to teach him!

His brother will be going to america soon.. so I guess listening comprehension would be very important?

Mabye there is a proficiency test I could give him to identify areas that he is weak at? He is 12 years old and my roommate described him as being an "intermediate".

Any help would be appreciated, and I am sorry if I am in the wrong forum!!!

[fiery101]

I mean, if you are doing 1 on 1 for free I wouldn't even consider doing any types of tests or lessons etc. I would assume that it should be good enough to just have them come over and talk in English. Use your best judgment to help them with whatever you think they need to work on. They'll be happy just to get any advice and practice. In fact you could do fun things 1 on 1 and they would still gain something because they'll be speaking to a native english speaker.

[mavor]

I don't have the first idea on what to start on though... and I really want to actually improve his english and help him prepare for going to america.

I think without having any material available to work through with him... I would feel like we are not making any progress.

[dean_burrito]

do something simple like teach each other card games. he will have to learn to listen to instructions as well as explain instructions. also he will get to practice numbers.
any other games you can find laying around are good too.
check out
www.bogglesworldesl.com as well.
good luck

[fiery101]

This is hard. Use your gut judgment once you meet the kid. I would suggest not doing anything until you actually meet them at least once. You'll have a better idea of their skill etc. and then you can make a decision. I think you'll find that really, when it comes down to it, they just want to practice english with somebody native.

[mavor]

Because of my lack of my experience teaching english, I am afraid that after I meet him... i won't know what mechanics of english to teach him.

Isn't there some sort of general skill test I can use to figure out where hes at?

[Cerriowen]

Yes.

Just talk to him.

If you say "Hi, my name is >>>>" and he says "moh?" He's at a zero.

If you say "How are you" and he says "I am happy!" He's about a 30

If you say "Wow, it's really hot today, can you believe it?" and he says 'my god totally!" Then he's closer to 100.

How old is he? Just talk to him. Play games (no matter what age). Go places and point at things.

[pkang0202]

What kind of dance do you teach? Hell, you give me free dance lessons, I'll tutor that kid for you.

[Ya-ta Boy]

For the first meeting, arrange to go to Kyobo or another big book store. On the way, chat with him and get a feel for his level. Once at the bookstore go to the English textbook section and browse through it with him. Let him choose the level appropriate for him.

I think you'd be more comfortable with a textbook providing you with a framework to build from.

[mavor]

Isn't there some way I can test his skill level in reading/writing/listening?

**pkang - you will have to wait until I start doing my dance lessons in itaewon. It will be open to everyone, but I want to have a class where english speakers can get together and have some fun dancing too. ^_^

I'll post it up in the appropriate forum here when I start it up.

[Ya-ta Boy]

No doubt there is, but in Korea level testing is done through TEPS tests and others like it. I doubt any of us here have ever seen an ability test that was professionally written outside of that kind of test.

[ajuma]

I'd find out what kids are watching/listening to in the States and download some stuff for him. Play a little bit and ask "Did you understand all of that?"

Find out what slang kids are using.

If his pronunciation is poor (he says-uh tings-uh like-uh tis-uh or he can't say "f" or "w") work on that with him...maybe using a tape player so he can hear how he sounds.

Find out what school he's going to be going to and see if you can contact someone there for lesson plans, what to do if he gets bullied, and stuff like that.

Good luck!

[DongtanTony]

I agree...try to escape from the idea that you need a "test."

Assessments can come in many forms...actually, I'm kind of partial to Cerriowen's test. "Moh," and "I'm happy" made me bust a gut...thanks Cerriowen

Seriously though Mavor...If this child can't answer some basic conversation style questions...you'll have a better understanding of where he's at.

What's your name?
How are you?
How old are you?
Did you have fun at school today?
What did you do?
What's your favorite ________? (Why?---if he's slightly more advanced)
Did you eat lunch today?
What did you eat?
What are you doing tomorrow?
Do you have a brother or sister?
What does he/she like to do?

And so on...

From there...you should be able to identify some basic deficiencies and tailor your lessons.

For example:
Article/quantifier usage---is the child using a/an/the/some/numbers properly?
Past/future verb tenses---also simple verb conjugation abilities, "to be," "to have," "to do."
Subject-verb agreement---I like/you like/he likes/she likes...and so on
The verb "to do."----still to this day my "intermediate" level students will ask "Teacher, have/does you like soccer?"
Prepositions---in/at school...not on school for example.

These areas of grammar...among others...are some of the more common areas of difficulty for Korean students.

I would personally stick with the oral assessment strategy as others have indicated...identify deficiencies...then move on with some basic lessons.

I'm glad to see that you're branching out from your comfort zone and teaching some English as well...and taking it rather seriously. If only all "English" teachers coming to/in Korea could do the same.

Good luck Mavor.

[mavor]

Thank you very much for your help all! I am feeling much more confident about this weekend when i'm meeting his brother.

I appreciate it. ^^