Korean Job Discussion Forums

[xCustomx]

I've got 20 classes and each one is 1.5 hours long. I taught classes last year, but am tired of making powerpoints and games for each class. Last year it would take me about 1-2 hours to prep for each class, but I don't have enough time this year. I only have 1 45 minute break each day of the week, which doesn't give me much time to prepare for my regular classes, let alone after school.

Do you use a book? I'll have 22 kids in the class, and they paid money, so I can't waste time watching movies.

[ekul]

I'm in the same boat, they were 90 min classes but have been cut down to 60minute. Apart from regurgitating the materials you have used previously.. I'm unsure.

For my intermediate second and third grade we are working through a conversational English book. So a lot of the lesson planning pressure is off for that class.

First grades I will play games and use a lot of resources from ESL websites. I'm not paid enough to discipline 22 first graders and create kick arse lessons at the same time. I believe these after school programs are to get the kids interested in English and not bore them with solid studying. We all know they do that at hagwons.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful, feeling the same pressure.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I've done various classes that focused on either writing or public speaking. This year I'm trying a journal-writing focused class. We'll use journal entries as points for free-talking discussion during the lessons (hopefully).

[Goku]

I'm thinking of having the kids play the mafia game: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mafia_(game)

but oh god the rules are so complex I'm doubting it's effectiveness.

But there is no doubt in my mind that their English would vastly improve and that it get kids motivated to speak.

Team speaking games is where it's at but speaking games are few and far between.

Has anyone, out there, gathered some games worthy of sharing?

[nomad-ish]

when i used to voluntarily teach extra classes, i'd make the powerpoints and design games, activities, just like you. now that they've cancelled some of my regular class to throw in these classes i work predominately from a book (i'm using allstar right now). the kids will be getting handouts each class which we'll work through together, with them doing the pair work or group activities in the lesson, plus i'll add in some powerpoints/games that i already have done.

[poet13]

"But there is no doubt in my mind that their English would vastly improve and that it get kids motivated to speak."

lol....vastly improve...lol... The only time this was successful for me was one camp a couple of years ago. The other times I've tried this, the students reduce it to, "big face", "small eyes", or "just because". Not much of a game.

It could work with higher level students, but not your average middle/high school class.