Korean Job Discussion Forums

[brento1138]

So, back to the public school for me, but this time, it's not elementary, but high school...

For the last 2 years, I've pretty much been used to teaching class sizes of 12 students (of university age). Now I teach about 35-37 high school students (on average) per class. But the problem I now face is having intermediate level students, and not as many games/activities where they can stand up, walk around, chat, etc. They simply sit in their desks all class, and it is pretty much impossible to make much noise (the other classes are studying silently, or doing their work) or walk around (cuz the classrooms are very small). So, I don't want the students to lose interest or start putting their heads down on their desks. I do have the ability to show videos / powerpoint... but I need more.

So, any suggestions for making high school classes interesting? Any activities or games where students can simply sit in pairs? Or groups of four? Most students are intermediate, but some are lower level... some highly advanced.

Any activities / games / or links to sites would be greatly appreciated...

[I-am-me]

It's high school. Fun and games are over as far as I am concerned. If they sleep, they sleep. When it comes to their speaking tests, I guarantee they get low scores. Anyhow, we dont really matter much for their overall grade.

[jmuns]

[oldfatfarang]

I teach in an all girls' high school. I use running dictation a bit. There's lots of moaning and sighing when they get told it's a RD task today, but when the competitive K 'cunning' gene kicks in - they fly at it.

I also take them outside - for treasure hunts (also lots of moaning: "It's hot," "Teacha sun etc"), but once they're out of their desks, and walking around - they enjoy it (and they're using English).

I also have a 10 min class speaking presentation (nearly every class) and that also gets them out of their seats.

Also try acting classes and relay tasks - they're not just for little kids - you can incorporate them into any writing and speaking activity.

Good luck.

[ticktocktocktick]

If they're well behaved enough, take them outside every now and again. Stand them in a circle and play word association, chinese whispers, or I Have Never. Just don't do it with your godawful classes, it could get embarrassing if someone important walks past.

Last year I played a version of word association outside, where students had 5 seconds to respond, or they were out. Give the winner a little prize. It can be a magical little motivator for those borderline classes when the weather is good. This has worked with all middle school grades, and I don't see why it wouldn't work with h/s.

[Fishead soup]

Go into Karafun via EFL Classroom 2.0 you can play a popular Korean pop song Karoke with English subtiles appearing. I'm sooo hot by Wodergirls is a good one to choose.

[Ramen]

Korean high school students are sleep deprived studying at hagwons past 10 p.m. They don't want fun games/activities when they need much needed sleep.

[jiberish]

Celebrity Heads was always the favorite when I did HS.

The game where you write a name above a students head. Then they need to ask questions that students can only answer yes or no to.

Then you just learn some Korean stars names and use those.

[oldfatfarang]

I've just finished a vocational high school all-girls class. It was tough going as the co-teacher was absent (special bereavement leave).

Without a co-teacher I just babysit. I don't bother trying to teach a full communicative lesson solo (to vocational kid). We played a vocab game - and they were pretty terrified at first - but once they saw other teams winning - they started using their text books to find words (great).

Stressful, but fun. I'm still on my honeymoon at this new school, but I'd hate to have to do this in 3-4 months time.