Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bundangbabo]

I was teaching a class that when you talk about your family you can either say

I have 2 brothers and 1 sister

Or you can say (like I do)

I have two brothers and a sister

So I explained this to my latest class and everything was going swimmingly until my daft cow of a co-teacher Mrs Moon tells the class (In Korean) that the correct way to say it '2 brothers and 1 sister is the correct way to say it' and the native speaker mug in front of them was wrong.

Where did you get your information from?

'The book says so'

Which book is she on about? What is the best way to show her the error of her ways with her losing face?

However I could be wrong so if someone can show me the error of my ways then I would be grateful!

[cazzy3]

the best way to do it WITH losing face would be to explain to her that you've been speaking the language your entire life and a book most likely written/edited by a korean w/o the true understanding of the language isn't worthy of being used in your class.

as for a simpler explanation, tell her that in conversational english, the more fluid and easier option is used when confronted w/ two identical explanations. thus, i have two brothers and a sister is the better option.

explain the "a" automatically implies a singular when used with either brother or sister as it does w/ all countable nouns.

[bundangbabo]

Cheers Cazzy! I'm gonna nuke her arse on Wednesday! I'll let you know how it goes!

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I make enough real mistakes, especially spelling mistakes, that my coworkers and students don't have to pull stuff out of their asses to question / correct me.

[bundangbabo]

[I_Am_The_Kiwi]

both mean exactly the same thing and are both capable of being used in any instance with no difference between them.....your CT must be stupid, or simply unawares - these are the things you should kindly explain on the side as being more than acceptable forms of English.

[cheeseface]

[crusher_of_heads]

IF that moron is hostile and foolish enough to try to point out something so trivial, she's got it coming-too bad you didn't correct her there and then.