Korean Job Discussion Forums

hiu254 · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Location: Smells like Ajumma

My hagwon has me in two new kindergarten classes.

They're really boring.

Is there any point having a foreign teacher in there?

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Nope. Better you than me.

Teelo · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Wellington, NZ

Ultimo Hombre · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Location: BEER STORE

You kidding me?
All hagwon classes are glorified babysitting sessions.
You're not used to this by now?

Goku · Joined: 10 Dec 2008

Actually your job is pretty important in kindy. Just exposing them to language is an important learning experience. Even if they are unresponsive and only passively listening.

I think songs are the best way, ESPECIALLY ones that emphasizes the differences of vowel sounds. I know a kid who is utterly messed up because he can't distinguish the vowel sounds.

Sing some songs with them, they'll love it. Of course, they are more in the tactile phase of their life... wanting to play with blocks and ignore you. But you could show some movies or start talking with them a short time one on one. Even if they have no idea what you are saying, they will slowly learn.

marlow · Joined: 06 Feb 2005

I won't say kindergarten teaching isn't stressful, but it's definitely valuable to the students.

I saw students that began with no English reading simple storybooks after two years. They were by then Korean age seven. They were already light years ahead of the normal student that doesn't write the alphabet until grade five public school elementary.

RufusW · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Location: Busan

Hightop · Joined: 11 Jun 2003

Marlow is spot on.

Teaching at kindergarten is not always easy, esp if you just teach them once or twice a week. But those kids that get a native teacher every day for a year or two are so far ahead of other students its not funny. The others are playing catch up for the rest of their schooling.

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

Goku · Joined: 10 Dec 2008

Any song that has repetious but varying vowel sounds are good.

Even rhymes like "Sally sells seashells by the seashore".

Kids are learning to hear differences in sound, even if there is no explict explanation. It's also ok if the kids don't understand what they are saying.

Or for example, bibbity bobitty boo.

All the kids are saying it nowadays and it absolutely non-sensical. Bib and Bob have very different sounds (obviously) and the child will learn to recognize the different combinations of vowel and consonants pairing with B. much like sally sells seashells.... the beginning S pairing with each vowel after creates a stronger ressonance of sound differences to the child.

I have a boy who can barely tell the difference between A, E, and I. It's tremendously difficult for him to spell anything just by hearing it phonetically. And when he reads words, they come out a huge mess...

I also know a little girl who is about 8 years old korean age who knows the differences very well.

I don't think songs and music are the only ways, but for kids that young, usually music will capture their attention. Also, one must remember that English is a language of speaking more than it is of writing. Emphasizing the listening and speaking needs to be developed at a young age.

hiu254 · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Location: Smells like Ajumma

I hate you because you're right. I've had them singing for a month and there is already an improvement.

UncleAlex · Joined: 04 Apr 2003

Nester Noodlemon · Joined: 16 Jan 2009

I had 2 classes of seven/eight year olds. They were like learning sponges. The first day of class they couldn't speak a word of English. Within a month they new the ABCs, colors, fruits, animals, etc. Within 5 months, they could put simple sentences together, answer questions, ask questions, etc. They were even beginning to write in sentences. I would get a lot of doat for boat and bog for dog, etc. But, they were sponges for learning.

The big trick was keeping their attention. I broke the daily lesson plan into 5-6 segments. Review, Draw and Talk, a Song, Acting Out the Picture and asking What is it..., and so on.

I had them for 45 minutes, twice a week. The Korean teacher had them for 45 minutes, three times a week. The Korean teacher was a really good teacher.

I was exhausted at the end of each class. However, I enjoyed watching the little kids learn so quickly.

WendyRose · Joined: 10 Dec 2008 Location: hanam-si, seoul

I just started a kindy class and at first I was in shock because these kids barely know their own language...but I was suprised to find that they pick up on English really well.

I employ songs and lots of hands-on activity. Throwing dice around, picking items out of my "mystery bag," and slapping things with a fly swatter.