Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DrugstoreCowgirl]

I was informed by my co-teacher that next week I am going to have to do 2 classes a week for the teachers at school. She said that they should be conversational classes and I am the class leader and she will assist me. I'm scared as I have no idea what to expect or what to do. Is teaching teachers basically the same as teaching the kids, or do you have to do different things that are more age appropriate?

[tinamarie04]

My co-teacher has just told me the same thing and I am lost also. A lot of them speak very little English but I don't want to insult them... help please!

[Clockout]

It is so much fun. Even had to vice-principal in my class last semester.

Great way to establish rapport with the non-English speaking co-workers.

[conbon78]

It can actually be quite challenging because teachers are always the worst students. So be well prepared, have a variety of activities, make sure your class is structured and try to make it as fun as possible. You should teach them as you would want to be taught. It's a great experience.

[Moldy Rutabaga]

I taught teachers for four years. They remember what it is like being students, and the role will return to them naturally. You might get some people who still try to run your class. So long as you do not make them feel as though you are condescending to them as a native speaker, there is a good chance they will be very cooperative.

So far as materials, I would avoid hard-core grammar, as chances are they know it better than you. What they probably need is to model your pronunciation and your grasp of idioms and appropriate vocabulary for situations. I would give them news articles and have discussions. I would give them conversation questions or articles about more adult activities such as marriage, home repairs, going on a vacation, buying a car... subjects which may be of closer interest to them.

Ken:>

[OculisOrbis]

For your first class, just talk about the class. What do you want to learn? Do you want a textbook? What style of teaching would you prefer? What sort of topics? etc.

The answers will almost always be - just conversation, no textbook, whatever you plan is good b/c we offer no input.

It should only take about a month before everyone stops showing up because they're 'too busy'. You can't plan anything for a specific number of people or anything that is a continuation from the last class because the people that actually show up will vary from day to day.

I recommend that if it's straight conversation they want, then have each person bring an article or topic from a current event to each class and then share it and everyone talks about.

Avoid talking about your opinions if they are in any way unflattering about korean food, culture, entertainment......well, anything to do with korea, b/c it will upset them. They only want to hear positive things and have their nationalistic egos stroked.

Also, avoid talking about your private life. They will pump you about details of your personal life at every opportunity to fulfill their voyeuristic needs. Keep it general or focus on their lives. You are a moderator - not a presenter or guest speaker.

Be careful about trying to get any meaningful conversation. It is very difficult to get an honest opinion from them. It will drive you crazy if you let it because they tend to straddle every issue without taking a side in an effort to not offend anyone and maintain the group harmony.

That's all I can think of for now. Good luck.

[Moldy Rutabaga]

I am not as pessimistic, but I have to agree that you will need to limit your expectations based on how much support you get on this. I would ask whether you will be given a textbook budget or if you will only be using photocopies. I also agree that I would avoid topics which must be continued if it seems that the exercise is just for show and there are no consequences for teachers not attending.

I simply avoid activities in any group which ask for any kind of controversial opinion unless there is a lot of trust in the class. What type of movies do you like? What are your pet peeves? Do you like dogs or cats better? What can we do about global warming, traffic jams, obesity? These are subjects which are neither too personal nor allow the conversation to just be about how wonderful Korea is, although sometimes that just can't be avoided. You might put people into small groups so that the oldest teacher doesn't dominate every discussion.

Ken:>

[Goku]

Be careful not to act as if they are students.

Rather treat is as a consultation.

If you try to lord over them with a teaching position and superiority, naturally they won't like it.

If you appeal to them as only sharing your expertise in a friendship manner you obviously will be more appreciated and respected.

[opthomps]

This mightn't be much help, but I took my first teachers class today, 4 days into my first job as a teacher. I really did not know what to expect. There were teachers ranging from near fluent to no clue. There were about 13 people who showed up. We ended up splitting into 2 groups after 15 minutes. Me with the novices, while i gave the English teachers and more fluent learners an article about H1N1 to discuss.

I have been told that many more people want to join this class in the future. So with my last remaining spot I have a second class once every threee weeks. Next time with the beginners I have asked them to consider either sport or movies to discuss.

I think that they want conversation or some basic entertainment, not anything that seems like work. It is difficult to plan because of the turn up and proficiency. Ultimately you are there to facilitate conversation in my opinion, so just roll with the punches, ask what they want, and respond to what works. If anyone has more advice on the subject I am keen to know, but I suspect it's different everywhere

[thoreau]

Do impromptu speeches.

Put a bunch of conversation starter questions in a bag and have a teacher select 2 questions and go into the hall for 1 minute. When they return send another teacher into the hall with 2 different questions.

While one teacher is speaking another is in the hall preparing.

Teachers must speak for 60-75 seconds answering the question from one of the two papers they selected.

In later workshops, increase the difficulty of the questions and extend the speaking time to 2 minutes.

The teachers will be forced to think quickly, speak to their peers, and convey concise ideas in English.

As you listen to these speeches make notes. The following week address any issues you see or hear. Perhaps you can talk about body language, introductions, using mnemonics to help people remember your name, etc.

This will only work if the teachers have fair or better English ability.

If it is less than that, focus on role-plays. For example you can give them only the characters in the role-play and tell them to develop the plot and script:

[I-am-me]

Hope they are paying you extra or teaching you their subjects.

[Chamchiman]

This question comes up a lot.

Help with Teaching Adults

Teacher's Class

Teaching adults� any advice??

What to teach for my Korean Teachers class?

Teaching my co-teachers who speak no English.

Teaching teachers.