Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fromtheuk]

On Wednesday, I have 2 after school open classes, the parents of my students will be there. There will be 2 periods of teaching, 40 minutes each. Afterwards, there will be a feedback session. The topic is furniture.

The lesson will consist of: Greetings/warm up. Through a website: A presentation of furniture, 4 picture/vocab. matching exercises, a memory game matching words/pictures, and a crossword which will be given to the students as a handout.

In the final period: Students are asked to draw their favourite items of furniture, color them in and label them. A powerpoint game used for Grade 5: 'This is a bedroom' will be used, to ask students to identify various objects in each room. A powerpoint memory game, where students choose from a selection of letters A-H, both upper and lower case, to match 'furniture' words. Lastly, a brief review of vocab.

I'm still with GEPIK and I've never done an open class for parents before. I know they are notorious for their complaints, so I accept that to avoid criticism may be an impossible task.

Will their negative remarks (if there are any, ha ha) affect my standing with the school? If their English is worse than our co-teachers, I don't see why their opinion should count for very much, when it comes to evaluating the quality of English teaching.

What do you think?

[kaosjin]

You sound prepared. I can't answer your question and just wanted to wish you good luck.

[fromtheuk]

How kind of you!

Thanks.

Seeing as you're so kind, any chance of you doing this open class for me instead?!!!

Oh well, no harm in trying.

Thank you anyway!

[oldfatfarang]

You sound very well prepared. So no problems. Lots of paper, give out lots, and lots of paper,("The students are studying hard" stuff that K parents love to see).

Don't worry, You'll ace it. I had my demo lesson this week. And even before we've spent the 60,000 won DEMO BONUS, my main co-teacher has already told me to disregard the examiner's suggestions ("Forget about all that"). Ha, ha, ha.

Good luck.

[Johnny_Bravo]

agree with others re sounding prepared.

it's unusual to have parents for open class, but be aware that in the case of after school classes, the parents actually pay extra money to the school for such classes, so it's important for them to be impressed to an extent, otherwise they may think twice about shelling out more dough to send Minsu to an after school Englishee class.

I think you'll do fine though.. just don't wear the flowing white robe to go with the Osama like beard and don't interrupt the class for afternoon prayers.

[Fishead soup]

Most feedback you recieve in Korea is not very helpful. It tends to either vague, irrelevant, or just plain stupid. It's more likely you will recieve a comment about the Kuffee on your head than your actual teaching method.

Just do the best you can. You can't please everyone.

[tabitha]

I have to do Open Classes at my school as well, and the best advise I have for you is to have the kids talk as much as possible. This is what parent's want, it give's them bragging rights and they see results. The bottom line if you will.
If the kid's have trouble answering you, fish it out of them. Also bribe them with stickers and candy before hand.

[tabitha]

I have to do Open Classes at my school as well, and the best advise I have for you is to have the kids talk as much as possible. This is what parent's want, it give's them bragging rights and they see results. The bottom line if you will.
If the kid's have trouble answering you, fish it out of them. Also bribe them with stickers and candy before hand.

[kaosjin]

I just had parents show up one day. I was told as I was walking into the first class. I had the whole 45 minutes to myself and had them for 3 different classes that morning.

I'm there in spirit with you.

I view the prep as the hardest part and it's already done. Of course, nerving the night before but you'll ace it. Look good and smile. As long as the kids are talking as much as possible, everyone will be happy.

[tenchu77491]

I am on my second day of open classes.... so far it's great and the 1st day was the hardest (the youngest kids).

The biggest complaint made was 'move her child closer to the board'. My co teacher said she hates that damn mother because she usually complains about every single little thing. The other reviews all said they are satisfied and even thanked me because they seen how hard I try even if a student is rebeling.

[fromtheuk]

My co-teacher has prepared a glamorous looking lesson plan for the parents, she has also reworked my lesson plan.

It consists of similar things to my lesson, but it includes prepositions and a different lesson plan. I just looked agreeable and thanked her for the effort.

She said she spent most of the weekend doing it. She will prepare some materials for the open class. I don't feel guilty, but I will just deliver her lesson in front of the parents.

I am sure they will like it, if I do it smoothly. It is a good lesson. I will probably end up receiving the credit, for something my co-teacher has done.

I think she has done this, because she wants it to reflect well on the school.

Maybe I should get her some more cakes, to say thanks?!!

[Johnny_Bravo]

[jonbowman88]

I had to do an after school open class once... 1 parent showed up

[Rusty Shackleford]

[fromtheuk]

My co-teacher is going OTT over this. She is working very hard. I did a lengthy power point, she requested it.

The first class was cancelled today, grade 5. I hope the rest of grade 5 classes are cancelled today too. That would mean no work at all.