Korean Job Discussion Forums

[shostahoosier]

I've met quite a few British teachers here who ignore the textbooks and teach their kids British spellings, vocabulary, etc.

The excuse they use is that people are more likely to run into the British dialect than they are the American because of India and other former colonies.

What do you think of this?

I personally try to explain that there are some slight differences in the two sometimes but mostly I've just followed the (horrible) English book since that is probably what the POE wants the kids to "learn".

[Yaya]

[edwardcatflap]

It's a tricky one. With adults I'd say let them know about both alternatives in terms of vocab and don't bother about which spelling they use. With kids there's a danger you could confuse them at an early stage talking about different types of English so I'd say choose the type of English you're most comfortable with and go with it. Unless the boss specifies American English , in which case it's probably better to do what he says. I'm not sure I follow the logic of a 'British dialect' being spoken in India, I imagine they've got their own Indian dialect by now.

[cj1976]

I always use whatever comes naturally, and if they ask questions I explain the differences. Contrary to what some people may think, they don't have a brain haemorrhage when they learn that colour/color can be spelled another way.

[Yaya]

[jonpurdy]

At PS. Being Canadian, I spell stuff the British way and sometimes kids will ask about it. So I quickly explain and get on with it. Though since I've been here I've started to use more American spellings for things.

[sigmundsmith]

If your teaching for students who are going to America to study or work, or to work for an American company here in Korea. Most definitely teach to the desired spelling, phonetics, etc.

But general conversation to students wanting to be proficient in developing their communicative skills in English, this is not important. Being able to communicate in English is a challenging task but it is important to educate your students that the production of English is so diverse, globally.

We don't speak like hollywood, california movies. Meet someone from Alabama and then meet someone from Brooklyn. They communicate phonetically and lexically, quite differnt.

Like any subject you teach you should be flexible and understand why they want to learn English. If it is to enter into University in USA, then yes try to target what you teach for the appropriate culture. But for the sake of teaching English with a USA background that is just narrow minded. And unfortunately, most Korean mothers are like that.

[jvalmer]

[djsmnc]

I teach every form of English that my students indicate (directly or indirectly) will be applicable to their personal experiences.

[southernman]

At My old Hagwon I taught american english but gave my better students the English english equivalent.

At my Public Schools, I just teach american english, I even spell it and pronounce it the american way.

Basically because thats the way its on the language tapes and I try to make it as easy as possible for the public school students.

I'm going to get serious grief if I say things the american way back home

[Wildbore]

The past teacher taught American English, my co-teacher teaches American English, the textbooks use American English.

I like to use British English. However, in class, I use American English as my students are accustomed to it.

[shostahoosier]

[drydell]

k-girls with very american accents ..... 헐...

[Summer Wine]

Quote:

I teach every form of English that my students indicate (directly or indirectly) will be applicable to their personal experiences.

I teach elementary in a school where even the Koreans act like they had to 'take the school as a last resort'.

My kids seem to lack the knowledge that there is more to this place than korea.

I teach them english. I grew up with british english and it took 5 minutes of extra brain power to realise there is another way to spell the same words.

I trust that the majority of my students are just as intelligent. If those from North America go into convulsions simply for seeing a new form of spelling.Then maybe they are not the right people to teach english. Do I explain that there are differences? of course - but so does anyone with a molecule of intelligence.

The same way that I mention that 2nd generation ethnic Koreans dont automatically speak korean at birth.

Its a language, we learn it. Educate dont indoctrinate.

[wiganer]

I am British and use American English spelling and words when teaching. I can do this as British teachers are exposed to American English just as much as anyone else in the English speaking world via hollywood and the mass media. Most American teahers would struggle in teaching any British-English - sad but true.

As an aside, I do teach British English sometimes and it always fascinates the better students on the differences and the number of differences that exist. I don't have any cultural snobbery about teaching American English though as the reasons Koreans learn English is all down to the United States.

What I do tell them though is that no matter if every teacher they have is an American and they indulge themselves in American film, music etc - they will never speak American-English. They are better off immersing themselves in all kinds of English!