Korean Job Discussion Forums

v88 · Joined: 28 Feb 2010 Location: here

Sometimes I find that I put in too much effort for classes and don't get enough back in return.

So share your methods of cutting down on your work load while still doing a great job.

1) Make the students do the work: Often I try really hard to make these great worksheets for books that we are reading. It takes me forever to make questions, pick out the best vocabulary, make more work sheets, make activities and so on for relatively short books. Recently what I'm doing is providing the students with a work book that has the outline of the book and a bunch of lined pages labeled vocabulary, summary, characters, questions (to make and ask other students)...and the like. I'm now making it the student's responsibility to choose words that they need to know and listen to me when it comes to words I introduce. To ask questions not only to me but to other students. I guide students in class so that they provide me with material I expect and provide a grade (Which doesn't actually count towards their actual grade) to let students know how well they have met my expectations. I also test them at the end. Super easy for me and I think its actually better for the students.

Any other ideas out there?

balzor · Joined: 14 Feb 2009

namerae · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Location: Anyang, RoK

Qualities of a Great Teacher
#1 - Set high expectations

I think you're doing great. Give the students something to aim for and make THEM choose what they think is important to remember. Customizing their education... putting them in the driver's seat... sounds like you have the right idea. Surprised

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 11:50 am Post subject:

v88 the approach you use is interesting. It will definitively engage the students in the lesson as they will feel they take part in creating it. This generates a feeling of input into what you learn which is a good strategy.

You then take on the role of FACILITATOR as opposed to the role of TEACHER. This is incredibly effective in measured doses but loses some effectiveness in larger doses. What I mean by that is that letting students take the lead is great but that you also need to take on a more traditional teaching role sometimes.

Basically vary the mix, have them provide input and build your lessons around that. Have them exchange with each other in class but step in to throw a curveball at them sometimes.

Keeping the pace of your classes varied will keep them engaged and interested.

Great work op.

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

Dammit

If everyone starts finding this out I am going to go out of business!

Zulethe · Joined: 04 Jul 2008

Perfect topic for me. As I sail into my next chapter of my life, I've been preoccupied with this subject.

Free talking...yep....I put the elementary students into groups and tell them to free talk while I surf the net (some actually do it)

Recycle lesson plans....I go back and just reuse some of my old lesson plans to send to my co-teacher for this weeks lessons.

One teacher I hate so I'm strategically late. My motorcycle will break down tomorrow. I'll be at the gym working out so when I show up late, it'll look like I'm all sweaty from pushing my bike.

I'll have a doctors appointment to miss the following week's class with the frigging b....

System failure...spend the first 15 minutes pretending to try and find the correct website...or unplug the bulb from the overhead so you have to spend the first few minutes "fixing" it.

Cleaning parties...yep...they spend class time cleaning up my mess...

headaches....see the b...above....I'll have a headache on the last day of class.

don't mess with me man...I'll make your life miserable seven ways to sunday. Twisted Evil

Zulethe · Joined: 04 Jul 2008

Oh, sorry, I missed the part about doing a great job Very Happy

Kaypea · Joined: 09 Oct 2008

DeMayonnaise · Joined: 02 Nov 2008

Just stop giving a f.

rookieglobetrotter · Joined: 19 Dec 2008

nomad-ish · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 3:50 pm Post subject:

Kaypea · Joined: 09 Oct 2008

When you play team games, let the students come up with their own team names. Sometimes this can take 10 minutes.

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

My favorite. Wait until everyone is seated, the co-teacher is in position, ready to go. Then say, everyone needs a pencil for this class. (It can take over 5 mins for them to go upstairs and come back with pencils.)

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

Make activities that are in no way shape or form connected to what's in the English textbook the Korean teacher uses. In other words plan dialogues that contain natural English for situational dialogues. Like going through customs, or buying a round trip train ticket to Busan. This ensures that the K teacher will hi-jack most of your lessons leaving you tons free time

Illysook · Joined: 30 Jun 2008

If you teach kindergarten, sing songs at the beginning and at the end. Make sure to get the kids really wound up with a TPR type song right before you leave...especially when you dislike their teacher.

Bonus if she "forgot" to turn on the AC before you arrived. You can then make them all sweaty and smelly, and your own personal stench will keep your hagwon boss from getting too close for the rest of the day.