Korean Job Discussion Forums

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

I used to think that was true...undeniably true.
And then i got into this textbook.
I work at a BCM institute and the guy who started the school wrote just about the worst textbook a teacher could ever imagine.
He studied SLL (simultaneous language learning)...so basicalloy you play a tape about 20 times with kids listening, repeating or talking along with it.

I prefer not to use tapes in class and there is no real reason for me to use one as i am a waygook. Anyhoo....

The following is a conversation taken, at random, from a gr46 level book.
there is a picture at the top of the page, and this writing:

Mike is my friend
Is he your best friend?
Yes he is, I play with him everyday.

Now, my kids aren't "brilliant" but this book is a joke.

Not only that but the teacher's guide (10pgs [5 pg.s in english] for a 160p text book) give no more ideas than to have them draw pictures and the odd (like every 3 or 4 units) activity.

Simply put, this book is virtually impossible to make fun. We do our little "lights! Camera! Action" game but really, the fact is you can't do a page in one class and make it interesting or fun OR original.

I've used the same lesson plan for this horrid book
The textbook's name is "Let's Chat"
3-5minutes of "how was your day?"
10mins of previous lesson review (+-)
4-5mins of students reading allowed
5mins of brain storming substitute words
15 mins of practice
5mins of performance (with substitute words).
I have done the exact same lesson plan for 2 months and it's driving me CRAZY!
I'm thinking of printing and laminating all the lines in the book and have students organize them, buit otherwise, i'm drained.

I know students in these mid elementary school years like to have structure and predictability, but they also like to "spice things up" a bit.
I'm juts shocked i haven't lost the interest of any of those students yet. OH HAPPY DAY!

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

I agree that sounds like a joke. But, just to comment on the tape thing, they're still good to use sparingly even as the foreign teacher. Saves your voice some, especially if you're teaching six classes of the same stuff in a row (which I don't think most people do, but still). And if there are songs, it's a lot better to play the tape and laugh together at the singer, instead of having to sing it yourself and have the kids laugh at you. Wink

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

i can understand why people like to use tapes and when i have used them in class, they seem to work fine. I don't know why i prefer not to use tapes...just the way it goes.]

The tapes that they have are just the conversation (not even bloody JAZZ Chants).

If you work at a BCM and they are considering using this book...INSIST THAT THEY DON'T!!!!

Juggertha · Joined: 27 May 2003 Location: Anyang, Korea

tapes are not my favorites.. but remember, they're being tested by listening comprehension to tapes so I try to always bring them into the lesson.

other than that.. your book makes me wonder what some directors are thinking when choosing one.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

I hate tapes, and never use them. because they usually have some accent on it that I detest.

Guest · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 4:48 am Post subject:

i've only ever heard the tapes the korean teachers use. they give me a headache. the guy sounds like he's stoned and the girl sounds like she's on speed--well, kinda hyped, helium sound. the most unnatural sounding dialogues i've ever heard.
i don't use tapes, but anyhow, for one of my classes we're using a textbook that sounds to be similar to the OP's. i gave up after 3 lessons and quietly slip other texts in to work with.

peppermint · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 4:56 am Post subject:

At my old school we used to get to edit texts like the ones you describe when we were short teaching hours. ( goody!) Trust me, the foreigners who edited it probably complained about it too.

Saxiif · Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: Seongnam

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

what sucks is that, i think our school feels "chained" to using these books.

I'm bombarding them (EVERYDAY) with, "we have to change, or supplement this book, with another text." My two best gr. 6 students who JUST started the book are already bored and don't like class.

It isn't me...i'm trying to stayed excited and make it fun, but htis book is killing my will to teach.

my school doesn't have parents that "like to see their kids fly through books" and it sseems strange that parents wouldn't talk to their kids instead to test their English.