Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mysteriousapien]

I'm a bit frustrated right now trying to teach an adult English class which are just filled with Korean teachers from the school. Last semester, the Korean teachers picked out a textbook that they wanted to learn from and it ended up sucking. The book was over a bunch of phrases that are frequently used in business or in the office. All they did in the book was copy(Koreans are experts at copying off anything). I wanted to play games and make it more engaging but nobody would speak up. Teaching Korean adults is more difficult than children(in my opinion). I also have communication problems with my co-teacher. She told me that the Korean teachers just want to do exercises from the book and not do games. For the rest of the classes, that's what I did and I was so bored with it. At the end of the semester, the Korean teachers complained about me to my co-teacher saying that the class is boring(well of course it is!) and pretty much asking for games. I hate how they talk behind my back, I'd rather them tell me in person what they want. Now my co-teacher is asking that I make the class more interesting(pretty much putting the blame on me). I tried to tell her that that's what the teachers wanted so I did what they asked and she says "i know but do better." Anyways, so now I'm responsible for finding a book for them to learn from. Anybody know any good English textbooks? These teachers are at an intermediate level.

[reactionary]

New Interchange is one of the most popular for good reason. Good mix of grammar, speaking, listening, reading.

[Rory_Calhoun27]

I can relate.... at my school very few of the teachers WANTED to take the class.... the worst being the grade 4 teacher who just stood up and walked out of the class day one.... his nickname became "Greyback"

Anyway, I asked the classes what they wanted to learn.... the intermediate class wanted travel and general interest issues, so I got articles mostly off the wikipedia basic site ad we talked about it it class.... probably could have been handled in a better way, but when your coteacher refuses to work as a team after a while, you just have to plug along....

I feel your pain.

[some waygug-in]

Is this at a public school? Are you doing a "teacher" class?

If so, it's not you. It's them.

Most of them don't want to take the class but are told to take it.

You could try a book called "Jazz English", but I doubt that a change of material will help.

You might also have a look at "Communicate 1" by David Paul.


They all claim to want to learn, but as soon as you try to get them to do anything (even reading) they quickly become "too busy" at class time.

[Mysteriousapien]

Thanks to both of you but this class is a conversation class...sorry for not clarifying. What is a good book to use for a conversation class?

[some waygug-in]

Small Group Discussion Topics by Jack Martire.. 3 levels.

Jazz English has a good mix of conversation as well as reading and grammar. It also has translations for more difficult vocabulary for each section.

It really depends on the group and what their interests are. (and their level)

You might try this as well:

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/

[reactionary]

Interchange is probably 80% conversation. Conversation using grammar that you can each in 5-10 min if they are intermediate as you say.

[Vimfuego]

Cutting Edge
English File

[some waygug-in]

I would recommend Interchange as well, except that it always has those
"hidden" parts for each of the role plays. You will have to buy the CD or the teachers manual to get the second half of each dialogue.

Apart from that, it's an OK series.

You might try this as well:

http://iteslj.org/questions/

http://iteslj.org/questions/z.html

http://www.esljunction.com/conversation_questions/

http://www.tefl.net/esl-lesson-plans/esl-worksheets-tp.htm

http://www.dailyesl.com/

http://www.blogcatalog.com/blogs/compelling-conversations-in-the-eslefl-world/posts/tag/conversation%20starters/

http://tigertesl.blogspot.com/2009/04/efl-esl-tefl-tesl-conversation.html

Google is your friend.

[scorpiocandy]

[Mysteriousapien]

It's okay scorpiocandy, it's not really your fault. What are Pagoda books?

[sheba]

Ive used the Express yourself series, the students studied the article at home (at their own request) because they wanted mostly discussion classes. Added my own activities to chop it up a bit.

Also used www.breakingnewsenglish.com

[some waygug-in]

It depends on your students and what they are interested in. Some classes loved the Jack Martire books, others hated them.

Always have lots of alternative stuff to use and don't be afraid to try new things.

If they are lower level, you may want to use the "Easy True Stories" books or the "Can You Believe it" series.

For higher levels, I tended to avoid books altogether and use news articles with lots of questions following.

Whatever you use, someone will complain about it. So you have to be ready to adapt.

By the way, some of the essay topics for the TOEFL exams make great conversation topics.

[withnail]

[scorpiocandy]