Korean Job Discussion Forums

Yaitsaj · Joined: 16 Apr 2009

So, I'm set to go to Korea to teach 2 elementary and 2 middle school classes next week.

I'm extremely nervous (probably normal) because I feel unqualified. I was looking through these forums and someone said something about an Idiom, I had to look it up!

I'm basically looking for a little reassurance right now. I've heard teaching English is easy work, but i'm still worried that i'll be asked something I don't know or remember. I regularly misspell words and my hand writing is horrid. I honestly don't know why forfeit sounds like fit instead of Fee-it, i've just always pronounced it, and hundreds of other words, in that way because..well thats just how I was taught it.

Do I have to worry about these things? I've always been told, if you can speak English you can teach. But thats like, remember Harry Potter?

Harry, you can do magic!
But I don't know to do magic!
you can do it!

Yeah, so any reassurance? Is it really easy?

Goku · Joined: 10 Dec 2008

It's good you feel this way.

Tons of people are in the same boat as you. Most of us don't have any qualifications. We don't know how to teach, hell some of us barely even understand English.

It's ok!

Really it is. People will be understanding, just don't tell the Korean Co-teachers you feel underqualified, nor boast about your abilities.

You will find material off websites such as boggles world for worksheets
http://bogglesworldesl.com/worksheets.htm

Or you can pick up some books on English pedagogy if you really want your students to learn.

As for reassurance. REALLY don't worry. I misspell things all the time. Don't make a big deal out of it. I get asked basic grammar things but I tell them that I've been speaking English so long, I can't remember. It comes naturally. They understand because it's the same way for them in Korean.

Don't worry, grammar and spelling come up rarer than you would think. You will be basically be paid to talk... and correct a few things here and there, but you know it all.

Don't fret, we've all been there. It's easy. Just prepare some activities. The rest of the stuff doesn't even matter.

Don't sweat the small stuff

Wink

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

If your handwritting and spelling is poor simply use Power Point instead of writing on the board. Go onto the site EFL 2.O and download lots of Power Point and use it. There's a guy on this site called dduebels he can get you started.

I use Baam from this site a lot . The Kids love it. You can make your own variations of the game. I also play the name game.

I-am-me · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Location: Hermit Kingdom

Den't wory about it. Most of us are unqualified and koreans dont kare. We are seen as entertainers anyhow. You will fit rite in! Wink

Yaitsaj · Joined: 16 Apr 2009

Thanks guys, great advice. I just went though a couple quizzes on boggles world. I guess if anyone has any more solid advice for a first timer i'd love to hear it.

Pwillig · Joined: 26 Jan 2009

You could write Swahili all over the board and it wouldn't matter. I have 1 student out of 240 or so that can ask me questions about English that I have to explain.

Sector7G · Joined: 24 May 2008

I know exactly how you feel. I arrived 2 years ago( Sept. 8, 2007 to be exact). The recruiters made it sound like I would receive a couple days training. Ha!!! I did not even get an orientation. I was pretty much thrown to the wolves!!

But it sounds from your post that you will be teaching public school, just like I was. They will almost certainly have a text book that they use. Just use that as your base and try to ad lib and add as much as possible.

I only saw each class once a week so I was able to get through the first week on introductions alone-asking each student one by one their name, how many in their family, their favorite hobby, etc. I also let them ask any questions they wanted of me, and I had some pictures from home that I showed.

I also sang "Moon River" for them and was treated like a rock star.

Yaitsaj · Joined: 16 Apr 2009

Haha thats awesome.

I actually thought of asking everyone to make little name tags (probably 15 minutes) then just ask "What did you do yesterday?" For the rest of the class period.

If it matters, i'll be teaching at a private (I think) school. Two at an elementary and then walk across the street for two more at a middle school. Some where in Saha-gu, wherever that is.

DrugstoreCowgirl · Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 9:05 pm Post subject:

Well, most of the kids don't speak much English, if they even speak any at all, so they probably won't know if you slip up once in a while. And I doubt you'll be getting into hardcore grammar rules in elem and middle school.

Hornbill · Joined: 09 Sep 2009

Carla · Joined: 21 Nov 2008

Frogis · Joined: 30 Jun 2009

I had zero teaching experience fresh out of college

was told I'd get training, the training being shown where the textbooks were and that I was going to teach my first class.

it's a bit scary a first but just remember the kids will have no idea when you mess up since, well they're Korean. Best of luck =D

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

You'll learn more about English grammar in your first year of 'teaching' than you have learned your entire life to date. It's natural and it's challenging for many, and it can be fun. In fact, a lot of people come over in the same boat you're in now, and without ever have taken a class in TESOL or education, they magically transform into 'professional teachers'.

Even though they know full well that they hired someone who is not a teacher and who does not have a degree in education, they'll no doubt hammer you with the ever-popular 'you're a real teacher now - go, go, go!!' spiel. Take it in stride and don't stress out. Keep a good attitude and an open mind. Try to keep the chips off the ol' shoulder, but be conscious of what's going on at work compared to the experience of others.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

My advice is - don't think of yourself as a teaching or a teacher. Think of yourself as helping students to learn and as a learner.

I know how you feel. I was there once too.

I know it is polemics but attitude is crucial for how you will develop in your job . If you will develop with the attitude of just doing whatever to survive and get through the day OR you will develop so that you are effectively using your presence there to help students acquire English.

I'd look at some of the presentations I put in this recent blog post. Take a look at Teaching Recipes - lots of standard ideas and methods there.

Go to EFL 2.0 and click resources. Get some powerpoints to teach basic vocabulary but remember - it isn't about memorization but students meaningfully using that vocabulary to communicate "meaning". Print the ppts into cards {Print - Print preview - #slides/page - Print} and use the cards for conversation games / mingling activities where they use the target language you put on the board {ex. When is your birthday? My birthday is ..... } .

Lots of stuff on my institutes site for downloading. here's the list of workshops I've done and click the Elementary one for lots of materials to download and help you in class.

Got to run but stay positive and remember it is about Happiness. Teach towards that most highest of all goals. Yours and theirs.

DD
http://eflclassroom.com

jhuntingtonus · Joined: 09 Dec 2008 Location: Jeonju

Focus on what they want you to do, when you get here. Determine what they expect from you. The stuff you mention you can improve on, if you actually need it, after you start teaching. It can be done - I, for one, had to learn to write small letters (I wrote in all caps in grade school, and they let me), but now it's no problem. You'll be fine, if your attitude is good.