Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sheba]

Just started at Public Elementary School for the first time...

I was kinda hoping my coteachers would take the lead, at least at the start until I settle in and get more comfortable/confident... however, I have 3 co teachers, one has never taught at PS before, one has never taught English, and the third can barely speak English...

So Im expecting to be thrown in the deep end in a couple days.

Any words of wisdom? Ideas? Websites for initial classes/icebreakers? Anything at all!!??

[jonpurdy]

First thing is to try to relax. It's pretty tough to be thrown in front of 30 kids who don't speak your language and just met you for the first time. Keep in mind that they are excited to meet you and might be shy at first. This will change very quickly.

Secondly, if your co-teachers aren't helpful or guiding you for your first day or so then just do ice-breakers and games. See these links, though you can also Google many more.

http://www.eslcafe.com/idea/index.cgi?Games
http://iteslj.org/games/


Try to get to know your co-teachers. Ask them about their lives, their interests, where they taught before. If you're their first NET that they've worked with they could be very nervous about using their English. So force them to use it and make them get used to it. Doing this early on will help you greatly avoid conflicts in the future.

I was fortunate enough to have a co who was on the ball when I started so I didn't have much to worry about. I just did as I was told and got used to the workflow. After a few weeks I felt natural and in-tune with my co-. I hope this happens with you. And remember to speak slowly and clearly.

Good luck!

[ChilgokBlackHole]

I realized finally that I was done with this job when I walked into a classroom full of brand new first graders. I go "Huh. Fresh fish. Welp... Today is Monday, yeaaaahhh!!! Do we know Monday?? Everybody do the Monday cheer, ready? 1, 2, 3, MONDAY! MONDAY! MONDAY! That's enough. Now, a vocabulary drill!"

...

[randall020105]

http://www.barryfunenglish.com/index.php

nuff said...

[ramen209]

FOr the first day, I made a powerpoint presentation "all about me" to introduce myself to the students.

It was kinda long and included pictuers of my family, my favorite foods, hobbies, etc. Then, at the end, there was a quiz to see who could remember what. Afterwards, I asked the students, what are your favorite foods? Raise your hand if you like skiing, etc. This was a good way to also get to know the kids, and kind of see their English levels.

This took up a good 20-30 minutes and was a great icebreaker and introduction and helped a lot! You could even stretch it into a whole class if necessary.

Hope this helps!

Also use the calender at www.starfall.com. It says the date and then you can have students practice saying the day and date.

If you have young students, the song 10 little snowmen is a great time consumer.

[sheba]

Thanks a lot for your input!

Feel free to add any more ideas ^^

[RufusW]

Definitely introduce yourself in the first lesson and get your CT to translate stuff about you if you need it.

Second lesson, make name cards, A4 piece of paper folded into 4 so it can from a triangular tube on their desk, name on front, things they like on the back, CT will need to translate hangul. Keep these in the class.

Third lesson, make workbooks 3 pieces of A4 folded in half. Teach stuff you want to hear when you see them in school. "Hello" "How are you?" sick, tired happy etc. They might actually use it outside of class.

Oh. and somewhere in there you want to explain classroom rules. Hands up, no Korean

[wallythewhale]

Week 1 - What Ramen and Rufus said, make a PPT of yourself. The kids (and your coteachers) will love to see photos of your peers back at home. I did this just to kill time and it took nearly the whole class. Then, just ask a few questions at the end to finish it all up. I'm sure there's a few in your class who are more than excited to ask you questions.

Week 2 - If you're still confused about the curriculum (I didn't understand it until the end of the first month and trust me, my coteachers were exactly like how you described yours to be), you could always do arts and craft. Get a bunch of construction paper, strings, they have their own scissors, glue, etc. and tell the kids to make their own name tags. Tell them to make up an English name and to write their Korean names (in English alphabet) in small font underneath it. Not sure how you are plan on rewarding your kids but this would be the perfect time to tell them to draw some lines for stickers. If you need to kill more time, tell them that you'll choose the top 3 in the class and give them a prize (stickers, candy, etc.). This will get them excited and want to actually work on their name tags.

Week 3 - Hopefully by now, you could start on your lesson plan according to the curriculum. Don't want to spend too much time away from the book because you'll be behind.

Good luck!

[RufusW]