Korean Job Discussion Forums

[summer33ny]

Has anyone had any success with using graphic novels in the classroom?

Can anyone recommend a graphic novel that is an easy read, but also would be mature enough to hold the interest of high school students?

I purchased "The Man in The Iron Mask" because I thought the story would interest my students, but the language is much too difficult for ESL students to grasp. Any ideas are appreciated... I have been researching this for quite some time with little luck!

[bluelake]

There is one my son translated a few years ago called Buja's Diary, which is a compilation of stories related to Korea from the 1950s-80s. As it deals with Korean culture, it might hold their interest.

[dean_burrito]

Look for Maus, probably the best graphic novel ever.. ihmo.

[summer33ny]

Maus? Good for ESL students or just good in general?

[harlowethrombey]

Maus is good, but that is some heavy, depressing stuff. It's about the holocaust using cats and mice to represent the jews and the nazis.

I think you might be better off using a story they already know. Get a version of a classic, disney fairy tale and you might be in business.

All the interesting graphic novels I can think of (Watchmen, Fables, 100 Bullets, LOEG, Top 10, Invincible, Planetary, Thor V.3, The Ulitmates etc.) are all probbably too difficult to understand.

I mean you could have them read an issue of X-Men or JLA but even there the dialogue is often so dense or full of cultural colloquialisms (sp) that it will be a real chore for the students to try and understand it. And if its X-Men or JLA the payoff isnt worth it

Although, Invincible might be okay, now that I think about it. Although it does get darn bloody. (100 Bullets and Fables and the others have a bit too much sex and violence for PS consumption anyway).

anyway, good idea
I hope you find a good one

[summer33ny]

Any other suggestions?... Nothing too violent and that would be interesting to teenage boys and girls?

[Ruraljuror]

There is a comic book version of Warcraft. It is officially licensed and tells stories of Warcraft using the characters and backstory from the Warcraft universe.

Never forget the most important rule of living in Korea: All Koreans love Blizzard.

[Straphanger]

[ramen209]

Flotsam by David Wiesner

No words, students can write their own. it's a children's lit. book but has beautiful, detailed pictures and would be appropriate for students of all ages.

I used it in the classroom w/ students and had them write their own story to go along w/ the pictures in groups and the students loved sharing their stories.

[Fishead soup]

Naked Lunch by William S Burroughts.

[Aelric]

I got the perfect title for you: BONE by Jeff Smith. It is appropriate for all ages, funny and progresses from a simple Donald Duck-type story early on into a fantasy epic gradually enough to not lost the reader. There is no graphic violence and throughout the whole series it stays genuinely funny in that way that both kids and adults can laugh at. Check out the wiki here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_(comics)

[Rory_Calhoun27]

My guess is the best graphic novel or analogue for Korea would be an anthology of SCROOGE MCDUCK and various exploits. Even better, get some of DUCKTALES, his animates series from Disney.

basic English, but also the heart of a true pennypincher. and his various exploits both stealing money and keeping his own pennies safe. Classic from any cultural view.



Either that or try THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS.... back when Frank Miller was a good artist, an above average storyteller, and didnt even know how to get to Hollywood.