Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jajdude]

During our current "intensive 5 week session" at my hagwon we have a couple of classes where the texts are much too hard for the students. But the director doesn't want to change them. I'm thinking of just doing my own thing and using easier stuff that the kids can understand better.

Seems like a common mistake is made when directors think these grade 5 American books are suitable for grade 5 Koreans. Even many grade 5 native speakers may struggle with some of the vocabulary. Using American texts seems like a mistake to me. I prefer the books designed for EFL, which is what we are teaching.

[ratslash]

do we work for the same school?

as our director explained to us, it is politics. he probably does know that the kids can no way handle a grade five book, but, if mummy sees precious little johnnie kim who is in grade five using a grade 3 book then she will moan and complain and withdraw the student. i'd recommend you to try and ask your director whether you can use extra material. don't tell him it is easier, just say extra. see how that goes.

[tomato]

Hello, Jajdude!

I have been in the same situation a few times. Each time, I got
caught by the director, got screamed and cussed at by the director, and went right back to doing what I was doing before. I'm still here and I don't regret it a bit.

Stick to your guns. If you're in a small town, you're in short supply and the director knows it. If you're in a big city, there is probably another job opening on the next bus stop.

[kangnamdragon]

I have seen a school use a second grade American textbook for first grade Koreans. How are they supposed to be at a second grade American level in the first grade? The Americans aren't even at that level. Am I the only one who sees a problem here?

[crazylemongirl]

I have had a nightmare situation with my kindy classes where the 'textbook' was an activity book designed for native speakers. What's worse is the activity book is basically circle this picture, and this one and this one.

Fourtantly after a concerted campaign she admitted she was wrong and the kids have new books for next year. The 7 year olds got to move onto smile one but as other kids had already ordered new books they'll be circling till the cows come home.

clg

[jajdude]

So I photocopied the grade 3 material. It's about right. Still there's enough they don't know. Mostly they can't speak much but can read a bit. Time to be realistic. No fun doing something too hard. I'm looking up words in the English-Korean dictionary myself and constantly correcting their pronunciation. I figure we're all a bit burned out already with this "intensive" schedule. But we're in a business and the business is all business so let's carry on with the business.