Korean Job Discussion Forums

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

That was the preposed change that was supposed to happen. With the Korean teacher talking half and the Net taking the other half

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

Strange you should post this subject as I just tried it today. I took the best students and the class clowns in my group. Gave my co-teacher the kids that never talk and the ones that don't care.

I split my group into two groups of 8 and each group had half of the time talking with me. The other half they had to write out mind maps and sentences.

I noticed that they kids who usually disturb the class did very well when the group was reduced down to 8 students. Even if they had little skill they were trying to talk when the group was smaller.

I am lucky that I have a smaller room with 9 seats in it next to my class. we did the talking parts in that room. It gave me a chance to get to know the students and they were more relaxed talking in a smaller group.

The co-teacher worked helping the other students write easy phrases.

I am a big believer in not trying to teach everyone by concentrating on the average students and best students.

Luna · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Location: seoul suburbs

My school does it by gender, I didn't get to choose which students I taught alone. We alternate every other week and the KT and I both teach the same lesson.

VanIslander · Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:15 am Post subject:

i do groupwork all the time

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

Don't you teach small classes in a hogwan MR. van isle.

ESL Milk "Everyday · Joined: 12 Sep 2007

We did this at my school... but I'm still teaching everyone. It's actually really repetitive, but at the same time, it does make things more manageable and more students talk.

In my case, I think the point is more to give them a bit of a change in pace halfway through the period, as opposed to actually focusing on anyone's specific level.

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

You could divide them up into two teams and play Red Rover.

Or better yet, put them in 2 groups at separate tables and do laps around the classroom. Teaching while running will make you more coordinated.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

I did try to break some students in half, but the administration got angry. Actually, I did break my classes into threes and that was great.

Colorado · Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:54 pm Post subject:

I did this all last term at my middle school and am still doing it. I think it's great. I get half the class (18 students) in the English Zone and my co-teachers have the other half in the classroom. So I only see the students once every two weeks. At first the co-teachers didn't like it much, but I think they've adjusted. It was my principal's idea, so they had to do it. This term we have a new principal, but we're still splitting the classes.
My goal is to provide a learning environment where students feel comfortable using English. So we have a lot of fun and play a lot of games. It seems to work pretty well for the majority of students.