Korean Job Discussion Forums

jamo · Joined: 15 Jul 2009

So I have to do this open demonstration at my Hagwon on saturday morning for potential new students and their parents. Why on earth they are making me (in only english) do it alone is beyond me BUT I need an activity - story - that will be extra responsive.

Last week they allowed two teachers with 4 years experience do it together( I only have two months).

Even with them being korean, and trying to speak english - most of the kids were unresponsive and didn't understand a thing.

Any ideas!?

PS - they are all 6 & 7 year olds. (kindergarten & below)

HalfJapanese · Joined: 02 Feb 2010

When I read the title of the thread, I thought "The English teachers are going to finally protest against the schools."

You could say things like "Me teach you long time." Laughing

bigtexas · Joined: 30 Nov 2009

Ok,

Well, dont stress. Actually, depending on how nuts your one-jung is, maybe you should stress. If you dont do a good job for the "potential" parents, he might go off the hook on ya.

Post what you have been studying and I can come up with a game for ya. Nuttin too hard, and ajumas will see you as the super whey-gook-sun-sangnim

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

I like it how parents only care about their children's English ability when they are not even able to comprehend what is being taught in their own language. When those children are in middle school and up, I never see parents show interest. Even in elementary school, there is only a handful of concerned parents, and that's only because they have studied English themselves.

mtmelton · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Chillin' in Gwangju

Yeah, If you go to the grocery store and get some vegetables you can make a sandwich car. Make wheels, headlights or whatever you want to use. use carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes and bread. Also, the wheels on the bus song, you can have them sing and dance to that. Kinda of a car theme. It's pretty easy and the kids enjoy snacking on the food and making something . Also, it's pretty easy to make videos now a days so you can try that as well. You should have no problem making it last 45 mins or an hour. And good luck!! with whateveryou decide to do.

8 years down · Joined: 16 Dec 2009

Do anything you want. Just make sure to give all the students a chance to speak once. They aren't paying attention to your teaching skills and they just want to make sure you are handsome/pretty, dress nice, look healthy and smile a lot.

Whoever decided to let a teacher with 2 months experience do this alone obviously believes you are those things mentioned above.

scorpiocandy · Joined: 27 Feb 2008

One of my schools made me do this a few years ago. I was the only foreigner and so off course was in the spotlight as much as I hated it.

Do you have to do something with the kids? Or is it just you speaking?

What I ended up doing was having a quiz with the kids. 2 teams of 3 kids each. Each kid ended up answering 2 questions each.

BUT, they weren't the brightest bulbs in the box so what we did was I assigned each kid 2 questions and we practiced the heck out of those questions. I even made them practice being all enthusiastic each time I asked a new question. "Me Teacher. ASK ME. ASK ME!"

Then I'd pick the kid who was supposed to answer the question. ( I wrote his name on my question card). The others faked being disappointed I didn't pick them.

The parents didn't understand a word I said, but with each answer I was enthusiastic and applauding and encouraging the parents to applaud. And of course when their kid got it right they were all proud.

Of course each kid was bribed with a chocolate as a "prize" because ehat do you know ... the scores were tied. Smile

wallythewhale · Joined: 12 Mar 2009

Role play always works because it gets the kids involved and depending on what you do, it can look very exciting (which is good for the parents).

Cerulean · Joined: 19 Aug 2009

Whatever activities you choose, try them out on Friday. You'll feel better about Saturday if you test your stuff.

Good luck!

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

OP, you only have a couple days to prepare? Do this simple one- Ask them how them are, how's the weather (go around the room), sing two simple songs, have the smartest kids read from a book (any story) , ask them math questions you write on the board, then sing the same two songs again- then ask for questions. Wink

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

valkerie · Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Location: Busan

valkerie · Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Location: Busan

POTENTIAL students...so they may know nothing/no time to prep them....if you can get hold of the giant book 'Brown Bear' that makes for a good chant (colours)....

the ideas already suggested sound good too.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

OK, I misread it- POTENTIAL students? What can you do? They MAY know some food words and maybe animals. Do you have flash cards?

jamo · Joined: 15 Jul 2009

Yes - potential students - I dont know them. So some know little english, some know none at all. I am thinking maybe story time with a puppet...maybe about funny monsters ( my kids right now seem to love monsters) And then maybe a small craft time - like make masks? like monsters? and then maybe game -something along simon says -- like stand up if wearing red? sit down if wearing black, switch places, etc.

I found out today that they are going to combine 14 kids and have another korean teacher ( who started the same week I did) do the class w/ me...it's good but she's more nervous than I am.

Oh well, fake it til I....it's over Smile