Korean Job Discussion Forums

[creeper1]

Hey Guys

I am working in a brand new school which is in the process of opening fully.

One of the things that they are opening is an "English Laboratory."

My co-teacher wants to know if I have any ideas about things that will go into the laboratory. However I just don't have any idea about this?

Does anyone else have one of these in their schools and what sort of things are in it?

[bassexpander]

Oh no... another one of those crazy Korean "English labs", like the one that was closed down a month ago.

I hear they do stuff like tongue and cerebral cortext transplants to help the kids speak better English.

Use caution.

[Misera]

... its just another name for an English classroom..

they want to know how they can make it fancy.. like computers, tv, etc..

[sojourner1]

As the new English scientist in charge, you will analyze and disseminate the language to make it more comprehensible to everyone. Who knows, during your lab research, you may discover words man has never known to exist, but in fact do exist.

[withnail]

If it's suggestions she's after, I reckon it's your chance to have input. How about a CALL lab? i.e. several computers on a network all with computer assisted language software?

You could also have a listening room with cassette players/CD players and a listening library.

[espoir]

well my english lab has 1 comp per desk, which sits about 6 students and a very larger monitor at the front from which I do all my PP presentations, so movies and whatnot. She just wants to know what materials will make the class fun and easy for you, or what types of decorations. We just have photos covering most of the walls of this in english. Its all by theme so countires, movies, books, tv shows. That sort of thing is probably what she really wants your help with.

[Misera]

oh some suggestions..

no rolling chairs
no chairs that can move up and down
If you have computers at each group table, make them only turn on/off if you can control it
Group tables are good for group work and pinning groups against each other in games, but it also sucks because the kids face each other = more talking/playing around.
TV doesn't need to be overly large. Flat and takes up less space so all kids can see it clearly is better. (Projector is probably good enough)
Request AC
If the room is very big, elmos or whatever they're called are good
Have sets of markers, color pencils/crayons, scissors, and glue ready, enough for each group/student.
Small whiteboards (markers and erasers too) to play whiteboard games.
My english room has a weird hidden compartment where we store everything near my desk. It's very useful.
Bulletin board so you can put up posters/pictures the kids draw.
My whiteboard is a gigantic whiteboard on wheels. It's good because I can move it around, but it sucks because the TV is huge and sticks out making it hard for the kids to see the whiteboard when I push it up as much as possible against the TV.

Things my school has never had a use for: Full set of headphones, Computers at each desk (monitors were ok when tv broke down..), buzzers at each table to call for help, and touch pen function for the tv.

Things to check for: Make sure the English written anywhere in the room is absolutely correct (spelling and grammar wise!!) Don't give the students much that will distract them from you.