Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Pwillig]

I may catch some flak for this, but I am in my seventh month of teaching at this rural middle school, and I've all but stopped caring. I came here with no prior teaching experience, but I had ideas on how to teach from learning German and Japanese in college. I was under the impression that as an assistant teacher, classes would be planned and taught under a cooperative effort. Oops.

I "teach" classes with 30 students in them and normally I just have to make up lesson plans from nowhere and build them from scratch since my CTs don't tell me what the students should be learning or where the students are with grammar. The books are absolutely horrendous with no coherent point to the chapters (aside from the new 1st grader's book). Whenever I try to teach something that requires the slightest bit of effort, the students shut down and start using their handouts as sketchpads or paper airplanes.

The only grade that is divided by skill level is the 3rd grade, but even divided, the skill level varies so greatly I can't do anything that incorporates the whole class. Then again, it doesn't matter what I teach because the students know they won't be tested on it.

The 1st graders are the only grade I care about because they pay attention and actually try. They've shown nothing but progress and enthusiasm since day one. It also helps my CT for the 1st graders actually gives me some clue as to what I should be teaching them.

TL;DR Version: The students and the CTs don't care. Why should I?

[D.D.]

One of the lessons of being a leader is to keep trying when they are not. That what makes someone stand out from the crowd.

[NilesQ]

I have found that the key is to not care about their reaction. I care about how I prepare and the effort I put in. If I don't I feel bad about myself. I don't care whether or not the students want to participate. Find the students who do. There are always a few. Work with them and do your best. Keep focusing on good activities that you would have liked at that age, usually something that gets them to yell.

[Fishead soup]

You see a direct correlation between the quality of your materials and the quality of your teaching that's good. I try to seek out good materials and let the KET use the text book. Don't rely on your Korean co-teacher for good advice/feedback. Most feedback I've gotten from Korean co-teachers has been too little, too late, and too vague.

Look for the online textbook Tell Me More by Andrew Finch. Also join the website EFL Classroom 2.2 do a google/yahhoo search. I don't have the link handy or contact dduebels on this site.
Try to get a laptop computed that you can use with your schools TV sets.
Once you do that you can play a lot more games like Baam and Jeopardy.
Put the classes into teams. download Power point presentations for teaching things like directions.

[NilesQ]

I play a fun game called Sentence Auction. Use whatever structures they are learning/have learned recently. Make a list of sentences, some correct, some not. Each team has a budget and they bid on the sentences. The team who buys the greatest # of correct sentences wins. This is so fun. You talk like an auctioneer, try to convince them to buy incorrect sentences, make fake money and take it when they buy sentences. They get so into it that I sometimes need 2 classes to finish one game! Give it a try. ONLY ENGLISH BIDS ACCEPTED!

[lifeinkorea]

With middle schoolers, the older ones study a lot. It's not that they don't want to study English, but they are under pressure to study for tests. If you talk to them between classes, they are often more receptive.

I found the first year students to be the most difficult, which I ended up dividing into boys and girls groups. I would divide the second year ones into smaller groups. Give them "play time" while you work with one group. You can try to teach them in smaller groups and you may need to go slower. I mostly did dialogues.

With the third year ones, I would get them writing a journal of some sort. This could be on the computer or just in a notebook. What did they do today, or what will they do? Weekend plans? Trips, etc..

Get them independently managing their time, and they will use their energy more effectively.

NilesQ, that is an awesome idea. I would like to add it to my bank of stuff at http://englishlessons.wikispaces.com

[andrewchon]

Then I'd got nuts! Break all the rules of the game. ESL teaching rules that is. Do the things you never did before like:
-hand out a corporal punishment
-take the students out to the play ground and play 'lost patrol'
-start teasing trouble makers mercilessly
-tell some knock knock jokes
-play youtube videos non stop
-have a push up contest
-hand out some more corporal punishment
-tease trouble makers until they cry
-show them how to give a wedgee

You don't care anymore? Then go and have some fun!

[Cerulean]

Sorry you're feeling this way buddy. You're not alone in experiencing a low point in this job. There are some good ideas here to try. If it hasn't picked up for you after you've done all you could, then either re-think this job or change schools. Good luck and hang in there.

[Pwillig]

Thanks for the ideas, all. I really shouldn't take it that personally that my students don't care. Apart from the 1st graders, they have some of the worst attitudes I've ever seen. Then again, I found out my particular school receives the underachievers and troublemakers from the two neighboring cities.

Guess it's up to me to do what I can do and reach the few who actually care.

[Hornbill]

[Hornbill]

[isthisreally]

I find that teaching and living here goes in cycles. It's hard to be motivated when you came over here to pay your loans and you get the same reward no matter what you do in the classroom. Take it as it is, don't feel bad about your reaction and think about how you want to be living your life.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[PRagic]

Sounds like you're in a rut. Happens. You'll sort it out soon enough. Good luck to you.

[dragon777]

Change the focus of your lessons to talking(oral English) and get away from the text book for a while. Really get to know your students in groups of four or six. Adapt a carefree attitude and relax. The only one beating yourself up is you. In the end it is just not worth the stress or worry(of not doing a good job). Assign a writing task for the students to do while they wait for you to chat with them. Have some fun with the class and you will see some positive results.