Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wjf1]

I have taught for six hours (with mature students) on a TEFL course, but I'm guessing teaching Elementary school children in Korea is a different proposition completely. On my course I didn't really have to dish out any discipline so I have no experience as far as that is concerned.

How hard did you find the teaching when you first started? Did it take a while for you to get comfortable?

[pangaea]

I had taught preschool for several years before I arrived in Korea so teaching wasn't entirely new. Of course, preschool teaching is usually much more informal so being responsible for lesson plans, delivering specific material, following a timetable, and dealing with a lot of different classes as opposed to one or two was overwhelming at first. I just started teaching for my second year hear at a different school and for the first month I was really overwhelmed and stressed. I am becoming much more relaxed now and feel like I am much more organized.

I think the hardest part of beginning teaching is that you don't know the students, aren't really sure of their level, and don't have a great idea yet of what they will really respond to in the classroom. I also found it difficult at first to fill out a lesson. I don't know how much leeway you will have at your school. Some schools plan every minute for you and some leave it open for you to come up with activities. At my school, I have a schedule that I follow for each class and they have certain things they are supposed to learn for tests, but how I deliver the lesson and any activities I use to supplement the class are basically up to me. I actually prefer it this way because it gives me more freedom and I can make the class more interesting. However, some lessons have been two pages in a book consisting of four sentences that I had to expand to fill 50 minutes. It's actually not that bad once you get to know your students and start finding activities that they like to do.

One thing that I have found is very helpful is to always have extra activities planned. I keep word searches, crossword puzzles, and other word puzzles handy just in case I run out of material and still have time left. Of course, word searches and crosswords are also great to use as a planned activity to help students learn vocabulary and practice reading and writing. The great thing about elementary students is that they still enjoy these kinds of activities and the challenge will keep them focused. In a pinch, you can also have them draw and label pictures. Most of my elementary kids love to draw and I can make it part of the lesson for them to draw their houses, families, favorite toy, favorite animal, etc., then write as much as they can about what they drew.

So far, I haven't had too many problems with discipline. Keeping the kids busy with activities really helps. I've also started a star system with one particularly rowdy class. In each class they can earn several stars. I start them out with 4 stars. I erase stars if they have cell phones out, are talking when I'm talking, or are doing anything else to disrupt the class. When they get 30 stars, they get a snack party. I will provide the snacks but it will be something cheap. Maybe some cookies, chips, juice, etc. It helps keep the kids focused and it's a small price to pay for some sanity in the class. I'm not sure how feasible that would be if you work for a public school with a lot of students. I work in a hagwon with 10 students or less so that kind of plan can work for me.

I think in both of my schools, it took me about a month to start feeling really comfortable teaching. It has taken me that long to get to know the students, start learning all of their names (though I still don't know them all), and come up with a system to stay organized. It also takes a little time to hit on which teaching methods will work for each class. Sometimes I deliver a lesson that falls flat or I feel like the class wasn't as organized as it should have been. I just consider that a learning experience and change what I do for the next class.

Anyway, hope this helps. I am teaching elementary and middle school kids now. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

[jrwhite82]

I found it difficult at first. I was thrown in a classroom with a tape and a textbook a day after arriving. I was jet lagged and culture shocked and I had never taught before, except subbing. I wasn't given any guidance or a chance to observe other teachers. I am also from New Jersey, so naturally, I talk very fast. I didn't smile enough (due to me being exhausted because of the time difference), so the kids complained. My boss told me to talk slower and smile more. So I did. I figured out how to work the tape player after a couple of classes.

After a few weeks, I was able to develop a good rapport with the students and other teachers. If my director told me to change something, I did it. By the second month I was cruising. I had developed my own positive behavior intervention system. Looking back on that, I was really proud of it because now that I have my MA in Elementary Ed and a teacher's license it is something I now learned had already been created and proven as a great way to motivate students and manage a classroom. And I figured it out all on my own!

It definitely wasn't easy at first. Smiling at your students when you first meet them will really put them at ease. Focus on learning about them before you worry about teaching skills. Incorporate cultural exchanges where you learn about each other into your lessons. Develop positive relationships with them and your coworkers and then worry about the actual teaching next. Then develop your own style. That's what worked for me.

Edit: Above post makes a great point about pacing. That is probably one of the hardest things for new teachers to master. Remember to include time to give instructions, model what you want them to do and then check to make sure they understand assignments/activities before you start. The language barrier makes giving directions challenging, especially if the students have no background about what you are about to do. In the beginning (and even after you master it), always over plan for lessons. Don't let students be idle in the classroom. That will really cause troublesome behavior.

[jrwhite82]

[pangaea]

jrwhite82 wrote:

[jrwhite82]

Try having a discussion about what rules they feel should be incorporated also. Give them some power in making some of the rules AND consequences. This will make them more likely to follow them.

I had a really rough group of kids during my internship. I tried EVERYTHING in the book with them. My mentor and I spent hours brainstorming ideas that we could try. Some of it worked for a while, some didn't. You have to just keep trying different stuff.

[pangaea]

jrwhite82 wrote:

[PatrickGHBusan]

If you have no previous teaching experience or training the hardest part will be classroom management and control.

No way around that.


Classroom management is crucial and without it everything becomes more complicated as you learn.

Bascially, initially you need to plan more than less. Overpreparing at that stage is your friend.

Managing kids in a class is not easy when youn have never done it. You WILL take things personally at first when you should not. That can be very frustrating.

Basically you need to establish some clear rules for your class. Have those posted in writing on the whiteboard or classroom door. The first time you meet students explain these rules and then, this is the hardest part, be CONSISTANT and apply these rules. This can make for a few stricter lessons but then the payoff is huge.

Rules do not mean no fun. Rules mean lines of conduct that will channel your students behaviour. Then you can afford to have fun in class and wander off the lesson path for short periods as the kids will know the rules.

Another key element is time managment. A 40, 50 minute class can look short and end up looking endless if you do not manage your time properly before class with a lesson plan.

Allocate time for the goals you need to meet in the class. This will break down the lesson in smaller chunks and help you manage things better. It does not matter if you go over or short with one segment. What matters is you will know where you are in the lesson at all times and so will your kids.

If your kids are older, post the lesson sections on the board.

Have the kids be active participants in classroom activities, if they are old enough have them suggest activities or topics.

Keep a note book handy or laptop and jot down what worked and did not work after each lesson or at the end of the day. Do this for the first few weeks at least. This will be a great lessons learned tool and when you see similar issues show up often you know to make changes.

If there are more experienced teachers at your school...hit them up for advice!

Go online and research classroom management, classroom activities....

Allow yourself some time to learn about teaching and do not shoot yourself down too much when you hit the wall (you will...every inexperienced teacher does).

School provided books are a starting point. You can ALWAYS and in fact should adapt them to your classes and look for places to improve them.

[air76]

[languistic]

[pangaea]

air76 wrote:

[air76]

[languistic]

[air76]

[jrwhite82]