Korean Job Discussion Forums

Easter Clark · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong

I hardly ever come here to rant but this is an exception. Yesterday during our camp class, it was business as usual: Students in their groups laughing and talking (in English) and generally having a good time while I monitored and tried to give each group some face time before bringing everything back to class discussion. They were asked to take surveys of the class based on a set of questions they'd been given, which included "Have you ever been abroad?" "Have you ever been to Jeju-Do?" "Have you ever tried live octopus?" etc...

Afterwards I asked the students (HS kids) if they thought the task was easy, difficult, or normal. I always do this so I can gauge their level. One girl said it was too hard. Then she said "Your class isn't funny. Moo-bie and pop-uh song pleas-uh!"

So after class I took a couple of hours and put together a great lesson plan based around a pop song. But guess what? This morning they're not going to get a pop song. They're going to get photocopies from the textbook I've been using in my adult class. Yes, I'm going to expect them to talk about things that may be outside the scope of their experience. Then after class I'm going to say "Which is more interesting--this material or the work we did yesterday?" But first I'm going to spend 5 or 10 minutes going over the differences between "funny," "fun," and "interesting." And if no one complains they may get a pop song next time...

Sometimes I really do get the impression that foreigners are seen as a source of entertainment rather than a learning resource. Mad

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

If my kids say my lesson wasn't fun I say then don't come to class, go to Everland.

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

Next time wear a set of Mickey mouse ears and act like Mr. Bean.

Have you tried the Tell me more online textbook from the TESL journal.

Try bribing them with a pizza party at the end. A little bit expensive but it works every time.

merkurix · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Location: Not far from the deep end.

Years ago when I worked at a hagwon my director told me that I was not fun (according to the hagwon mommies), and that I need to be more entertaining. When he mentioned dancing, singing and acting like a monkey for the 5 year old students I stopped short of saying, "If you want teachers, hire teachers, if you want farking monkeys bouncing around the class, why didn't you hire some clowns ya fookin bastard!"

I thunk it but didn't say it. I should have. That was my first week of teaching.

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

Try and act like this guy:

http://theyangpa.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/0811.jpg

A2Steve · Joined: 10 Nov 2007

I remember getting the "students very bored" speech about my tenth day at a Hagwon, which I took to mean I got the green light for a Jack Black impression.

It worked for the time I was there. Then segued to somewhere I don't feel like a monkey. But the Jack Black bit seems to still work. Wink

Easter Clark · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong

I couldn't really be bothered to plan anything this morning so I put on an episode of Roswell. We talked a bit about aliens and UFOs, I told them to draw pictures of aliens and describe them, then we watched the TV show (which is 45 minutes long). The perpetrator still found her mirror more interesting that what was going on in class (even though the other students had a good time, as they did yesterday).

I know, some students will not enjoy your lesson no matter what you do, since they'd rather not be there in the first place. One more week of this and I'm off to the US for some much-needed R&R.

xingyiman · Joined: 12 Jan 2006

Hey, lighten up a bit. A complaint like that can cost you your job in Thailand.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

cruisemonkey · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:29 pm Post subject:

Easter Clark · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong

icicle · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Gyeonggi do Korea

In a couple of my classes all I have to do is to say anything at all in Korean ... And what little I can say I can say very well ... For some reason they just find it funny ... They are kindergarten/younger elementary kids.

Talking about being "fun" in kindergarten/elementary classes ... I think the key in early days is to going a little over the top about being happy to be there / giving lots of positive comments to kids / and just enjoying getting to know them ... I know that this did work for me ... And managed to make a positive first impression ... And the hagwon did ring all my kindergarten parents to check what they / the kids thought ... within that first week ...

Hanson · Joined: 20 Oct 2004