Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nizpaz]

Hey all, help me score some brownie points away from my current tensions at school.

My Principal today told me about the money the school has got to develop an English zone. I acted surprised lol (actually totally shocked he asked my opinion)

SO he wants my recommendations on what would be useful. He's particularly interested in software for a language lab and also those interactive whiteboards. Prc/cons.

So feel free, let loose, how should they spend the dosh? And do try not to recommend all CT's are shot at birth And probably recommending a complete overhaul of the curriculum wouldn't go down too well.

Common experts, don't let me down!

[Bread]

A taffy pull. The students will love watching it produce delicious taffy.

[IncognitoHFX]

A BIG BOX OF (English) PORN.

[nomad-ish]

i've always wanted a set of computers (preferably flat-screen) in my english zone, not a lot, maybe 8 or so. that way you can have the kids do group research projects using the internet during class time, which is excellent when those long camps come along.

edit: i guess i should clarify, i've done this before (one winter when i was re-located to the library for camp) with a group country poster project. i gave a list of info that the kids had to find on the internet for their selected country, and then had them design a poster (using some clippings from english travel magazines that i brought in), and later present it to the class in english using full sentences. it worked extremely well... as in the kids learned some things, had fun decorating posters, and actually spoke some english (oh, and i had an hour or so of relative peace and quiet)

[antoniothegreat]

my two cents...

computers and programs are a waste of money. computers dont teach, and kids will not use the program. teachers teach, that is it. my school spent a ton on computers and a computer lab when i came here five years ago. i pointed it out to a veteran FT at the time in pride, his comment was exactly mine now "now lets see the computers teach."

they will be used for porn and games. viruses will overrun the computers and then... the computer lab gets shut down. my school hasnt used the computer lab and its 100,000,000 of technology in 2 years.

what is good. i like just simple posters. things with english, and CORRECT english. a map of north america will all coountries labeled is good, kids that are bored or interested can read and learn. a global map that says mexico is part of south america and antarctica is not a continent is bad. put that is a korean geography class. movie posters are good, kids will look at it and read it.

make sure materials are suitable, dont get college level english literature books for a middle school, then they become scrap paper.

electronics are bad, they will break and often be not fixed.

simple english games can be good, like uno, but monopoly will not be understood and it will be wasted.

even games like jenga can be used for english. like put numbers on the blocks, then you can have a question sheet for each class. low level questions for low level classes, and it makes even answering simple questions in sentence form fun for kids.

i guess the point is, simple is usually better, even in teaching.

good luck.

[gteacher]

[IncognitoHFX]

[antoniothegreat]

well, maybe i am out of touch, maybe you are right.

but... i have NEVER seen an English teacher use computers where something a bit more old fashioned would have worked better.

Maybe that means the teachers i have seen are not good.

I am sure a good teacher, that is prepared, and is familiar with computers would do a great job.

but, in reality, the teachers i have seen have been more troubled by making sure the students are on the right page, or Sujin's computer was unplugged by Hyeoncheol...etc.

maybe this would be a good new topic, are computers worth it???

[alex83]

First of all, OP, get ready to be overrun by sleazy, Korean salesmen in sleazy, Korean suits. And the presentations...GOD how pointless!

Before I started working here 5 months ago, the school JUST got their current set-up. I have an 87-inch touchscreen connected to a main computer...which is also networked to 6 computers in class (1 per table). Pretty common I think. Truthfully, I was (and remain) very impressed! Powerpoint and Youtube now teach half my lessons.

However, the school just got another W50M to upgrade the facilities!

Honestly, like I've told my co-teachers, the money would be much better spent HIRING ANOTHER NT and splitting classes in half. I don't know how possible this is given PS bureaucracy, but it would do the most good.

Anyway, that won't be possible, so just avoid spending the money on any of those overpriced software esl programs.
If you don't have a touchscreen yet, that I DO highly recommend.

[antoniothegreat]

alex, your setup, the students CANNOT control the PC? just you? that WOULD be awesome...

i retract a bit of what i said, that set up would be pretty cool. having kids control an individual computer is a nightmare

[nizpaz]

Thanks all for replies, some interesting ideas. I'm based in Seoul. Perhaps I should've added it's elementary school they'll not quite into porn yet (wishful thinking???)

[legalquestions]

Mexico is in North America, not South America. Google it if you don't believe me.

[buymybook]

[Teelo]

All CT's be shot at birth and a complete overhaul of the curriculum.

[alex83]