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gregoriomills
Joined: 02 Mar 2009
Location: Busan, Korea
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 Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:29 pm Post subject: Yeah!! New semester at a Technical High School in ROK!!! |
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Ok, so I'm at this all male tech high school since last semester. Very VERY low motivation/english level, but somehow we managed to have fun, after pulling every trick out of the book that I had (which isn't a whole lot). Did the whole word search, pop song, words scramble, board race thing, and crawled past the January 6th finish line iwth a movie. I show up this week to find out I have the same students this semester!! 
I have a few things I could do with them, but definitly can't fill 20 weeks!! Any suggestions, personal experiences with tech hs to entertain me, websites, etc???
Thanks! |
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bogey666
Joined: 17 Mar 2008
Location: Korea, the ass free zone
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| Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:51 pm Post subject: Re: Yeah!! New semester at a Technical High School in ROK!!! |
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| gregoriomills wrote: |
Ok, so I'm at this all male tech high school since last semester. Very VERY low motivation/english level, but somehow we managed to have fun, after pulling every trick out of the book that I had (which isn't a whole lot). Did the whole word search, pop song, words scramble, board race thing, and crawled past the January 6th finish line iwth a movie. I show up this week to find out I have the same students this semester!!
I have a few things I could do with them, but definitly can't fill 20 weeks!! Any suggestions, personal experiences with tech hs to entertain me, websites, etc???
Thanks! |
join the club! 
I wouldn't mind hearing about some of your tricks btw..
what's a board race?
I'm always looking for games/competitions, they like competitions! but it's hard to do with 40 kids.
same students?
well - it's a new school year -
in my case... last year's 1st graders (now 2nd graders) I don't have them this semester... will have them the next - when the last semester 3rd graders don't have English.
and of course. I have the new incoming class, freshmen, aka 1st graders.
the classes are also mixed up, ergo, the same classes of 3rd graders I had last semester (when they were 2nd graders) are now mixed up differently.
your "old" lessons you can use on the freshmen.
with your "old" students... there are only so many "games" and activities you can do anyways - it's the material that is key, right? and you use the games to help you with the material.
since I'm guessing their ability is similar to my students' (aka nearly nil) you just try to take new concepts, "dumb them down" (I don't like this term, but can't think of a better one at the moment" to their level and see how much sinks in (the answer is almost nothing.. and whatever sinks in, sinks out within a week or two)
my big thing this semester is I am going to try to find things they are interested in and like, and tie that whenever I can into what I am teaching AND I am trying to stretch certain lessons and concept for several weeks, so hopefully they will remember it a little better.
(e.g. I'm doing a very simple lessons based on "I like" and Q and A.. aka what do you like with nouns, then what do you like to DO (with verbs)
will have a class to help build vocabulary with nouns and verbs they may like (will try to have them brainstorm)... then negative questions.. don't you like/to do? etc? then difference between what/who? (do/don't you like?)
and will force them to practice this simple Q and A (this is difficult, but easy with 4th period classes, if they don't do this, you tell them they won't eat lunch on time. You'll be amazed at how eagerly they start repeating the conversations!) Find a way to threaten/reward them. Candy is a good reward.
then I will do a "cultural lesson" with different types of music.. especially American music.. and have them learn to ask and answer - "do you like ____?
most of them KNOW this of course, it is the SIMPLEST of conversations, but a good half if not more cannot tell the difference between noun and verb (ergo ___ and to ____ ). That is one of the things I am trying to teach them.
also, this is a "conversation" they might like to have.. the wiseasses have already told me this week when I tried it..
"Teach-uhh." I like teet-eess!
big big teet-eess!
the only thing I could say in response is "me too" !
here's a specific game you can try with numbers.. and I got it off the people on this board.
have them play the Korean game where you have to clap on 3 6 and ( 9 is it?) as they count to a 100.
of course if someone screws up, everyone else pounds on him. Needless to say the technical school boys like that one. |
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ddeubel
Joined: 20 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:24 pm Post subject: |
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Why not try BAAM! They'll love it. Edit and modify for yourself or try the dozens of games made by teachers on EFL Classroom 2.0. Click resources - powerpoint games or the Play tab and Games (scroll down).
Enjoy.
DD
http://eflclassroom.com |
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gregoriomills
Joined: 02 Mar 2009
Location: Busan, Korea
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| Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:28 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah, that stretching lessons things is key, that's where I screwed up last semester. If they didn't act into an activity relatively quickly, I'd move on the next thing, effectively exhausting my supply of good ideas rather quickly. I like the "I like" idea.  The reward and punishment thing I didn't have down last semester, either, apart from kicking kids out of the class.
Feedback on their interests is key, I imagine, as well. Maybe I can tie that into the all-important first lesson I have with them on Monday.
Things I've done:
after teaching vocab, ie. places, divide class into column groups. Front person from each group go to board and have to write what you say, ie. I am going to the bank, correctly. First one finished gets a point. Have each group of contestants go 2 or 3 times in a row, its better like that.
Have you done the baseball game? One of my best games:
Divide class into two groups, draw a diamond on the board. Teams take turns coming up to front to be asked a question by me. They choose: single (easy), double (medium), triple (hard)....etc. Each team gets one out. I actually draw the men on the bases. After covering a couple lessons, you have some diverse material for questions. You can get really creative, like scramble refrigerator on the board and ask them to unscramble, spell microwave, what preposition goes here?, etc etc. Works brilliantly.
Of coarse jeopardy and scattegories work great for whole 50 min periods. And I'm gonna try card games this semester, maybe teach egyptian ratscrew or something.
Man, I've really enjoyed not having to act like a "I'm gonna make your life a living hell" hard-ass everyday over vacation. Back to work I guess....
Great website Zutronius
Definitly adding my favorites... |
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espoir
Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Location: Incheon, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:36 pm Post subject: |
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I feel your pain fellow tech HS teachers.....thankfully I only have my grade 2's this year repeating with my classes, so I can still use all my old material on my grade ones. But yea it will definately be hard for sure and I'm not looking foreward to may when I run out of my pre-planned lessons 
I suggest a lesson on "friends" the tv program.......oh and a friend gave me a golden lesson, just to tongue twisters for an entire lesson, it worked wodners with my kids. |
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Nierlisse
Joined: 11 Oct 2008
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:59 pm Post subject: |
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I like my vocational HS so far, but yeah, their motivation for English is next to nothing. I was told their level was very low before I started, and that I should do a "introduction" class where I teach introductions. That lasted 1 class and then I was told it was too easy! So I really have no idea where they are, English-wise.
I also didn't use enough discipline this week. Next week, I am going to introduce the "no talking or you all will hold your hands in the air for however long I feel like" rule. We'll see how this works. They took away my beating stick. Sadness. |
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bogey666
Joined: 17 Mar 2008
Location: Korea, the ass free zone
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| Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 2:37 am Post subject: |
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| gregoriomills wrote: |
Yeah, that stretching lessons things is key, that's where I screwed up last semester. If they didn't act into an activity relatively quickly, I'd move on the next thing, effectively exhausting my supply of good ideas rather quickly. I like the "I like" idea. The reward and punishment thing I didn't have down last semester, either, apart from kicking kids out of the class.
Feedback on their interests is key, I imagine, as well. Maybe I can tie that into the all-important first lesson I have with them on Monday.
Things I've done:
after teaching vocab, ie. places, divide class into column groups. Front person from each group go to board and have to write what you say, ie. I am going to the bank, correctly. First one finished gets a point. Have each group of contestants go 2 or 3 times in a row, its better like that.
Have you done the baseball game? One of my best games:
Divide class into two groups, draw a diamond on the board. Teams take turns coming up to front to be asked a question by me. They choose: single (easy), double (medium), triple (hard)....etc. Each team gets one out. I actually draw the men on the bases. After covering a couple lessons, you have some diverse material for questions. You can get really creative, like scramble refrigerator on the board and ask them to unscramble, spell microwave, what preposition goes here?, etc etc. Works brilliantly.
Of coarse jeopardy and scattegories work great for whole 50 min periods. And I'm gonna try card games this semester, maybe teach egyptian ratscrew or something.
Man, I've really enjoyed not having to act like a "I'm gonna make your life a living hell" hard-ass everyday over vacation. Back to work I guess....
Great website Zutronius
Definitly adding my favorites... |
hmmm.. baseball game is a great idea... I'll try that one.
someone will have to explain to me how to properly do jeopardy and scattegory.....
I tried to limit word scrambling and such things, because I don't want to focus on spelling..... I am trying to get them to speak and somehow motivate them a little to be interested in English (losing battle but it is what it is)
I try to have the kids like me (though not I'm not a disciplinary pushover, if anything I'm a hard ass) because this means sometimes they become motivated to tell me something... and of course they have to try in English.
i don't know how it is in your school but in mine (and many others) I see every class ONCE a week, so their retention levels are minimal. The best thing to do would be to try to tie in one's lessons with what they are learning with their Korean teacher, but given that curriculum that's almost impossible for technical students.
the other problem I find with my students is given their low socio-economic background, they have a hard time letting their imaginations run a little bit (or they just find it difficult to)
for e.g. when I tried doing a "what did you do this weekend" lesson and tried teaching them a whole host of activities to vocabulary build, it was a waste of time as they only answers I would get is
played computer games
watched tv
slept
did nothing.
sometimes one or two would say see grandmother... etc etc
you'll find their "interests" will be pretty much limited to computer games, sex and girls and Korean pop music, and occassionally sports - but I suppose that's par for the course for almost every teenage boy, not necessarily a Korean one. |
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gregoriomills
Joined: 02 Mar 2009
Location: Busan, Korea
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| Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Nierlisse wrote: |
I like my vocational HS so far, but ...
I also didn't use enough discipline this week. Next week, I am going to introduce the "no talking or you all will hold your hands in the air for however long I feel like" rule. We'll see how this works. They took away my beating stick. Sadness. |
Yeah, reel them in quickly or else you'll lose them for the whole semester, had that problem in a couple of my classes last semester. When your novelty wares off, beware!!!
Scattegories, I split the class into teams of 4,5,or 6. I'm assuming you know how to play the real game?? So you do pretty much the same thing, except your categories will be "cities, countries, 5 letter words, etc etc etc." They may have never played before, but once you get through a couple rounds, adn they realize that they need original answers to get a point, they get into it. I can only get through 3 or 4 rounds the first time. Good thing is you can easily use it twice a semester, it's a great 'last class.'
there are plenty of jeopardy ppts online. I usually put 3 categories of my material, ie vocab, prepositions, etc etc. Then I put a couple fun ones, like fifa world cup, general sports, world geo, etc. I split class into four groups, and clear the front row. Each team sends one person to be "the contestant." Each round last 3 questions, then they switch. If you kinda ham it up, add suspense, they really like it. It lasts around 40 minutes. So have a little time killer at the beginning or end.
Thanks for all the advice guys. Best of luck this semester. I realize our job is one of (the most?) difficult with all of epik. When I hear that some of my elementary teaching friends have never yelled at their kids in 6 mths, and they teach 20 minutes of each class - it makes me sick to my stomach! haha
Ill post here as I find some things that work.
Ill post stuff here as I come across good material. Feel free to as well. |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Nierlisse wrote: |
| I also didn't use enough discipline this week. Next week, I am going to introduce the "no talking or you all will hold your hands in the air for however long I feel like" rule. We'll see how this works. They took away my beating stick. Sadness. |
You've shown weakness... and are 'screwed' for the next three years (at that school)... beg for a transfer. |
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Nierlisse
Joined: 11 Oct 2008
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:24 pm Post subject: |
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| cruisemonkey wrote: |
| Nierlisse wrote: |
| I also didn't use enough discipline this week. Next week, I am going to introduce the "no talking or you all will hold your hands in the air for however long I feel like" rule. We'll see how this works. They took away my beating stick. Sadness. |
You've shown weakness... and are 'screwed' for the next three years (at that school)... beg for a transfer. |
Well, I was kind of hoping my co-teachers would enforce some discipline, but alas, that did not happen. I suppose it's all up to me now. I guess in the back of my mind, I'm afraid the students will realize I have no actual teaching credentials and stop listening to me when I punish them. Hopefully, the co-teachers will be supportive when I dole out the punishments...
It's a little too early for me to be jaded, right?
Right? |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Nierlisse wrote: |
It's a little too early for me to be jaded, right?
Right? |
Not at a technical high school... LOL. If I were you, I'd seriously consider making a 'gift' in a small, white envelope to the local school inspector while mentioning a different school may be a more appropriate 'fit' for your level of experience.
I have a friend who 'did' a year a K-tech. HS in the 'boonies'. His favourite expression was "I'm not smart enough to make it dumb enough for them to understand."  For his first week (or so), he thought the boys were actually using the Korean/English dictionaries in their cell phones during class. |
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bogey666
Joined: 17 Mar 2008
Location: Korea, the ass free zone
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| Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:50 am Post subject: |
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yes, from what I heard elementary school kids are actually a joy to teach. They're in that sweet spot of pre-adolescence.. still very eager to learn and please.
that said - I like the highschoolers... because I appreciate mischeviousness and rebellion
and I like my technical highschoolers and my school. Of course, that's because of the way I am treated, which is splendidly.
Class discipline is a challenging thing. The challenge is in not in being an overbearing asshole, while not allowing the inmates to run the asylum. |
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Nierlisse
Joined: 11 Oct 2008
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:54 am Post subject: |
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| Lol, I'm really not worried. The school has been great so far, and I like it. As a bonus, my husband is teaching elementary and we can probably use the same lesson plans! |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 1:18 am Post subject: |
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| Nierlisse wrote: |
| As a bonus, my husband is teaching elementary and we can probably use the same lesson plans! |
Now, I know you'll be ok (you have a sense of humour)... make lemonade! |
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linky123
Joined: 12 Feb 2009
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| Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 2:44 am Post subject: |
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| These kids are not trying to go to top colleges in Korea. Unlike some previleged kids from Kangnam, they are not trying to study abroad. All they want is get their diploma and take a goverment technical certificate exam and become a technician, welder, electrician, auto mechanic and so on. Of course they are not motivated. |
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