Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Stinky Llama]

Hey guys!

It's been a while since I taught English since I'm working in a company now but I'm going to open up classes for the employees so some ideas would be awesome.

Just a bit of info, the employees/students want something "fun" and nothing too difficult. There will be two different classes based on level (beginner and intermediate). From what I gather, business English is not particularly appealing, they love movies and music and they really want "everyday" English.

Any input would be great! Thanks in advance!

[maingman]

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/index.html

[Easter Clark]

Interchange.

As for "something fun," a good instructor can make ANY class fun. Just depends on why they want to learn English.

[blackjack]

I teach a group of adults that asked for the same type of thing and what we ended up doing is me selecting a blog, writing up a few intro questions, introducing some basic vocab and idioms and teaching from that.

at first it was quite easy but now (after over 100 classes) I am seriously running out of ideas and new interesting blogs.

I tend to take blogs from newspaper sites and try to keep the words at no more than 500 (1 1/2 hour classes). I stay away from certain topics religion, North and South korea (they just weren't interested and it made me uncomfortable), and anything with too much sex.

They do like learning about bad words (esp. ones which are common in movies), travel, food, fashion (most are women), health and fitness, NZ (I'm from NZ and a few have been there), movies.

One lesson that worked really well was a blog on western table manners and all the silly little rules we have, as well as a blog on the top 10 fads of the last decade

http://www.stuff.co.nz/blogs/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Blogs/
http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/

These are my first go to sites

[Chambertin]

I just wrote a nice long advice column, but for some darn reason I hit the back button on my mouse (new mouse and not enthused about that feature) so rather than type it all again I will keep it short.

Who knows maybe it was for the best...

I have been teaching company people and other adults for a few months now. I use the Side By Side series as a base for lessons.
However I alternate between book days and worksheet days. The book days I asses levels and work with the class to see where ability and interest lie. Worksheet days are more fun and closer involvement with the class. I prepare a worksheet or other activity to take advantage of class momentum.

At times this is a load to deal with. Shortest prep time for the worksheet day class is 1 hour, even then I get the love of noticing a couple dumb mistakes. Still this makes me look human and no one has ever complained to me directly or indirectly about them.

The mode is quite solid and I have nothing but direct and indirect compliments in my teaching style. Which normally I would just take as BS but one of my students recently requested we have school on Friday nights too, even if it costs extra money.
I call a college student wanting to study on Friday night a success.

PM me if this sounds like anything but bullshit. I am about to start teaching company workers on company grounds and I'm sure that the atmosphere will be quick to change when we hit company grounds. Thus far they have always came to the school.
Could be interesting to compare experiences.

Anyway, before I wall any more feel free (anyone) to contact about strategies for classes with high school to adult at any level. I've learned alot through trial and error as well as strict regiment. Can�t say I'm an expert but I'm well versed in what works for me.

[blackjack]

[Easter Clark]

Hey blackjack--

some good ideas there. Here's one you might have overlooked:

http://digg.com/news

[DavidVance]

Stinky Llama,
Go to:
http://sites.google.com/site/multifactoreslenglish
There's plenty of material to print and hand out, or bring up on the screen.
Regards,
David Vance.