Korean Job Discussion Forums

[some waygug-in]

If you're not allowed card games, how about a "Jeopardy" style game.

All you need is some quiz questions in a few different categories.

Don't make them too easy, or the kids will be bored, and also not too difficult or they won't be able to answer anything.

There used to be a website with a printable version called

"pass the bell" . I think it was on a site called ''www.english-zone.com" which used to be free, but now you have to pay to join.

Anyway, you should be able to make your own quiz questions. Choose a variety of topics, math, science, animals, things in the classroom, spelling
etc. Have about 10 questions for each topic. Draw a grid on the board.
Put 6 topics across the top and point values down the left side. Divide the class into teams. They take turns, they choose a square and then you ask a question. etc.

I'm sure you know all this already, but just in case.

A similar game is "typhoon". Played very similarly, but the point values for the questions are hidden, and there are some 'typhoon' squares. If a team chooses a typhoon square, they lose all their points.

You can read about it in the Idea cookbook here on Dave's.


You can make the questions semi-realated to the coursebook, so that the director can't say you are not teaching from the curicullum. If you make all the questions book related though, it will be too boring.


Another game:

Draw a large grid on the board. Choose words randomly from the textbook and place one word in each square. Divide the class into teams.

Give each team a symbol (or let them choose their own) . To play the game, a team must choose a word from the grid and then make a good sentence with that word. If they get it right, you mark their symbol on the square. If they get it wrong, the other team gets to try.
The teams alternate turns, the object of the game is to get 3 of your symbols in a row (one point). The kids really get into this when they start realizing that they can score in any direction, and also they can try to block the opposition.

This game can be played using the alphabet and spelling as well for lower level groups.

I don't know if these types of game will be more acceptable to your school, but I know the kids will like them.

I hope this helps.

[rapier]

Some waygug-in: cheers for that, I used the word grid for the first time, took them a while to get the idea but they were fixated on it by the end...!

[waggo]

rapier havent you posted this before...? Why dont you do a proper teaching certificate and actually gain the skills to educate your students.....all you are doing is time filling...its not their problem....its your problem because you dont have the professional skills to deal with them and more importantly educate them.

Its Ok ....i wont tell your boss....like he'd care

[rapier]

Waggo: don't make me laff...I'm actually the only teacher at my school that is trained in TEFL.... and do a better job than most of the ameteur panhandling "instant" teachers that arrive over here- probably you included..
Just happens to be the one class that is immune to my efforts...

[waggo]

Ok I beleive you...actually i dont.....every time i read one of your "work" based posts I just feel like giving you a little pat on the head..youve got dodgey teacher written all over you.

[jaderedux]

Well, got to throw my 2 cents in here. I am not "professional" teacher but I have made the effort to study and become a pretty good one now. I have been a public school for 2 years now and just signed on for another year.

Most of my students are wonderful and I connect with most of them in one way or another. Some love interactive projects, some like reading comprehension, some work best with jokes and riddles. I try to tailor my classes to best utilize the personality of the class....but on the other hand.......

I do have one class that is completly rotten. I tried everything with them the only thing that works is Uber -witch. I walk in...insist they bow and make their lives miserable for 45 minutes every week. The do grammar drills....pronuncation drills....and homework. No fun...no games....no rewards. Just work, shut up or you can visit with me after school and write a nice apology in English kneeling on the floor.

Like it or not there are bad kids. These kids started out disrespectful to Korean teachers and they tried to be worse to me. They are sullen, uncooperative but the worst of them are at least quiet as a stint or two standing outside in the freezing cold cured their desire to swear in English. I will not be called a *itch, or hear *uck you, or *ucking USA in my class.

Sometimes it is about keeping control of the class and keeping them in line and from terrorizing other students. That being said most of my kids I would kill for. They work hard they try hard and even if English is tough for them they try hard to do well.

That is all I ask of my students....try hard...respect our time together. We can have a fun class or Gulag class it is up to the students. They decide the tone.

I wish I could reach them all but I can't but I am happy for the ones I do.

Jade