Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cassimira]

Hey all.

I'm teaching a TOEIC course to middle schoolers using the Hackers textbooks. The only problem is, the textbook's instructions are almost entirely in Korean!! Does anyone know where I might get an English translation so I know what I need to be teaching? I tried scouring their website, but didn't find anything.

My school is fairly flexible, so I'm not too worried about lesson planning, BUT my Korean colleague will be teaching the reading and writing portions of the class, so I do want to make sure I stay in sync with the textbook so the students don't get confused.

[fustiancorduroy]

[cassimira]

oh dear.

to respond to your points:

-the students have already purchased their books, so getting the school to switch will be neigh impossible, and would piss off the parents even if it was doable.
-My Korean co-teacher means well and is actually an extremely good teacher, but is not great at explaining things to us. gives the minimal amount of instruction, etc., and sometimes neglects to mention important things.
-This is my first year in korea, and only my third day on the job, so my korean is still pretty much limited to hello and thank you, and my reading skills are non-existent!!

Oh, silly Koreans, expecting a newbie to teach a TOEIC course from an all-Korean textbook. *sigh* I suppose I'll muddle along somehow.

I did go through a very intensive certification course, so thank goodness I'm more prepared to construct lesson plans virtually from scratch than the average newbie, but I do want to make sure the kids are getting what they need to do well on the test. I found an e-book on teaching TOIEC I'm planning on downloading.... can anybody recommend any English-language materials that would mesh well with the Hacker's books?

[dirving]

Are you working with Han Dong Pyo at Park Jeong near Siheung Station in Seoul?

[fustiancorduroy]

I see your situation. Well, you can still get another TOEIC book that is all English to supplement the Hackers book. You should also check out the ETS site that explains the test:

http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.fab2360b1645a1de9b3a0779f1751509/?vgnextoid=06cfd898c84f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD


Really, though, it's stupid that kids are studying TOEIC. The test is designed for adults who want to work in international business. It's not meant for teenagers, let alone even younger students. It's almost as bad as having 11-year-olds who can barely understand English study the TOEFL. Somebody needs to make an age- and level-appropriate test for younger students in Korea. It'd sell big.

[cassimira]

Dirving: Nope! I'm in Deaso. Why... is there someone there in a similar situation I should compare notes with?

fustiancoduroy: Thanks for the link... that'll help me know what to aim for to help them out. Do you have a specific book you've used that you might recommend? I had some passing familiarity with TOEIC already and thought it was a little weird they were teaching it to middle-schoolers too... but i guess that's what the parents want! Its weird that with the emphasis placed on education here that they DON'T have a test that's more age appropriate.

I've had two classes with them already, and its actually my favorite class so far... I definately prefer explaining grammar and helping with elocution to the endless game playing with the younger kids, even if they are way cuter. Hopefully armed with the link to the ETS site and another book I can keep it up.

[dirving]

Hi,

Do not have anything to do with Steve Kim and Han Dung Pyo at that Pak Jeong. Kim owes me 6 million won, and the equally corrupted money grubbing Dung Pyo, who has the manners of a pig, despises white people.

[Andyc24_uk]

OP - That's a tough one! I've used some of the Hackers books and while I'm sure they're informative for Korean native speakers, their lack of English makes them virtually unusable by anyone who doesn't have medium-advanced Korean skills... added to the problem that was rightly pointed out about kids studying for a test not even remotely appropriate for their age range.

Sadly that's very much the norm in Korea - sad to say, but parents here tend to equate success with a) quantity and b) prestige - the quality and appropriateness of education too often takes a back seat. There are a lot of Korean kids who study hard and get into foreign universities with very good TOEIC/TOEFL/IELTS scores, but are pretty much unable to hold a conversation of more than three sentences in English because they spend all their time on test prep and aren't given the opportunity to practice the actual everyday use of the language.

To get back to the point, I'd recommend you talk to whichever of your Korean colleagues or directors has the best command of English; explain the situation and ask for their help and advice in choosing an appropriate teachers' book to complement the Hackers books. I'd be careful about just picking yourself a book and using it without clearing it with your colleagues first; from experience it could unintentionally create extra confusion!

Dirving - Probably not the place for discussing your previous employer, given that the OP stated he doesn't work for them - May I recommend you post further details on the following site for people to be aware of :
http://blacklist.englishjobfinder.info/