Site Search:
 
Speak Korean Now!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Newbie Needs A Game Plan

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Job-related Discussion Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Clemmens



Joined: 25 Jun 2008
PostPosted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 4:05 am    Post subject: Newbie Needs A Game Plan Reply with quote
Hey guys, I'll be coming over at the end of August to work in a public school position. Was wondering if anyone could recommend some top notch books on EFL theory. Some lit. on classroom management wouldn't be half bad either. I've found some really key stuff on line, but assume that it all came from a book originally anyway, and would much more enjoy reading from a book instead of a screen. Thinking I'll want some kind of educational game plan going into it. Eighty eye balls (Give or take a few; I read a post about the high percentage of eye patches in Korea) staring back at me is a little daunting to think about and I want to know the nature of the beast before I totally slay it and ram its head on a pike (Think Jamie Escalante plus a full head of hair, minus the acne beaten face, and the body and sword of Conan). Thanks for your help guys.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jangsalgida



Joined: 11 Jan 2006
PostPosted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 5:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
You are about to be awakened. Imagine those forty students with eighty eyes wearing their underwear and you will be fine. I would like to be a fly on the wall during your 1st week.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ddeubel



Joined: 20 Jul 2005
PostPosted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 5:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Take a look at our bookstore. Hand picked by myself and other EFL teachers. Will give you an idea. I think every teacher should take a look, just to have a good idea what is out there and part of the EFL "universal library". So much mud out there - you need a place to get some footing.
http://eflclassroom.ning.com/wpage/books

I"d recommend for sure, Harmer's How to Teach English and David Paul's Teaching English to children in Asia.
Here is an insightful interview with him... http://www.eltnews.com/features/interviews/029_david_paul1.shtml

Good luck.

DD
http://eflclassroom.ning.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
aka Dave



Joined: 02 May 2008
Location: Down by the river
PostPosted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 5:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I can give you what they study to be EFL teachers. This is the "bible" in most English Education departments. It's a decent textbook, not great. There's another one I have in my office if you want for me to post it, I forgot the name.

http://www.amazon.com/Principles-Language-Learning-Teaching-5th/dp/0131991280/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217682967&sr=8-1
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
cruisemonkey



Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
PostPosted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 2:54 pm    Post subject: Re: Newbie Needs A Game Plan Reply with quote
Clemmens wrote:
Hey guys, I'll be coming over at the end of August to work in a public school position. Was wondering if anyone could recommend some lit. on classroom management...


The first thing you have to do is not read a book, but make yourself a 'love stick'. Wink
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Rumple



Joined: 19 Sep 2007
PostPosted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 8:49 pm    Post subject: Re: Newbie Needs A Game Plan Reply with quote
Clemmens wrote:
I've found some really key stuff on line, but assume that it all came from a book originally anyway, and would much more enjoy reading from a book instead of a screen.


I'd be interested in some links to some of the key stuff you found online. Can you post them?

Oh, and by the way, Jaime Escalante doesn't have an acne beaten face, but the actor who played him in Stand and Deliver does (Edward James Olmos).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Ruraljuror



Joined: 08 Dec 2007
PostPosted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Rumple makes a good point.

Commander Adama, though, does indeed have a distinctly pock marked face in real life.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Tobias



Joined: 02 Jun 2008
PostPosted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 11:15 pm    Post subject: Keep it simple Reply with quote
Herr Clemmens, you sound like a young gun, granola-type who's just rearin' to arrive on his stallion and conquer all the peninsula. Don't come here wearing a tuxedo to a hog butchering. And leave the pike at home. This is Asia, not the West.

Arriving at your new job with high-powered creds and high expectations of your learners will set you up for major disappointment. Bring curiosity and a good attitude, plus a good knowledge of Korean culture, especially the concept of 'face'.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ddeubel



Joined: 20 Jul 2005
PostPosted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 3:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
Herr Clemmens, you sound like a young gun, granola-type who's just rearin' to arrive on his stallion and conquer all the peninsula. Don't come here wearing a tuxedo to a hog butchering. And leave the pike at home. This is Asia, not the West.

Arriving at your new job with high-powered creds and high expectations of your learners will set you up for major disappointment. Bring curiosity and a good attitude, plus a good knowledge of Korean culture, especially the concept of 'face'.


Please ignore this advice, however well intended.

Your job is to motivate and to "expect". Bring it on and just be flexible enough to enjoy whatever comes your way - good or bad.

Cheers,

DD
http://eflclassroom.ning.com

PS> Contrary to popular belief - young guns are as effective in the classroom as old, battered down vets. Though, others will state all the smoke and mirrors stuff...... the key to good teaching iwth age IS energy/change/learning.....
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Clemmens



Joined: 25 Jun 2008
PostPosted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 5:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks guys, some good info and even better laughs. This forum is way classic. So many characters on this thing. Dave's has been one of the better things to happen in my life. Moving on...

Looks like certain heads are butting on the expectations issue... To have expectations or not to have expectations... I don't think very well on my own, usually leave it up to other people to decide for me. So here's what it gonna be: Tobias and DDuebel. Three, five minute rounds in the octagon. Winner will emerge as the Dave's ESL Cafe heavyweight champ and will earn the right to impart their knowledge on me. And you'll get I belt too! I'll get