Korean Job Discussion Forums

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

I got to school today for the first day of classes and it was a mess. I have two classes that are each 90 minutes long and the kids were not split into levels.

I showed a short video clip and then had them comment. Some kids didn't even have more than two words to say and others were speaking for 5 minutes about the clip.

Solution: I gave each of the smarter kids two weaker kids and i took two students.

I said we were going to have a coaching contest to see who could improve their students the most.

The smarter kids did a better job than me in getting their students to speak more.

I noticed a marked improvement in the weaker kids. I am going to try this for 8 days and see how it goes.

The smarter kids also reported that they learned a lot while coaching.

This was a lot easier and more productive than trying to teach a group of mixed level students.

We used the movie Marley and Me which went over quite well.

Rory_Calhoun27 · Joined: 14 Feb 2009

I wanted to do something like this at my first job, when a huge rainstorm kept most kids at home- the younger kids get mentored by the older ones, and the older reinforce what they know and have a chance to assist someone else.... of course my idea was ignored....

but if it works, run with it. reminded me of elementary school, when as a first grader I got to work with a FIFTH grader to make a book.... amazing what passes for the ultimate experience at that age... Embarassed

zipper · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject:

Student on student is a good active approach. I don't get into the videos and movies unless they will truly be used for active learning; otherwise they promote passive learning at best. I prefer to do lots of TPR, songs, activities including writing, cutting and coloring, board games, drills, pair work, group work and other activities to get my summer camp students to communicate in English; and my method seems to work with my mix level classes as well.

I have visited your site several times. Pretty impressive. Good for you! Wink

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

I dont have a site, thats deubel.

zipper · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:28 pm Post subject:

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

dragon777 · Joined: 06 Dec 2007

Dude were you really the original DD. Man... i am so sorry. it is really you the DD oh my !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

I had the same thing happen, but we only have 2 day camps. This last camp had such a mixed group, my co-teacher assumed all the students understood what I said. Then I quizzed them and he found out how mixed it really was.

The higher level students can drown out the others, so even though the original poster's idea is an excellent first activity I suggest also creating focused projects for both levels. You could give review worksheets for the lower students so they can try to use the target grammar without help from other students. Give the higher level students something new to work on or alter the lesson to make it more difficult (extend on the examples, add vocabulary, etc...)