Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jajdude]

I guess the frustration students have with English is part of learning a language and not understanding it. Do you see a lot of obvious frustration among your students? Sometimes the material we do is too hard and it's hard to break it down into easier bits to help them understand. Sometimes they are just middle school whiner types. Sometimes their English is just so weak and they just hate having to try and learn something so foreign and difficult. Or some cannot believe you are actually trying to make them think and work to learn English, instead of just slagging off and having a laugh. And then there's the adjustment to the foreigner which I figure takes at least 2 months for most students. For the first two months they are just getting used to you, trying to grasp that you really do speak English and not Korean, although unaware what your world must be like living in a place devoid of English surrounded by a strange language. They're just youngsters, you say, and for those few hours per week they have to be in the English class a lot of them just say "jajingna" a few dozen times and learn very little. Of course there will be frustration if one is to learn a difficult thing. It's like that tough math course you probably had to pass, perhaps had to repeat to pass.

I think Korean students need to work really hard and a long time to learn English at any really competent or communicative level. They have no practical use of it outside the classroom, at least until maybe some years away in the future, which must seem like a million years away to some youngsters. So unless they really do make the effort they won't learn it. As far as I see only a few make the effort, and I don't blame the ones who don't. It is a tough and often unpleasant task. And when you're young you say who cares anyway? Then when you're an adult you say damn, probably too late now!

Just some babble for now....

[Eazy_E]

That is all pretty accurate and correct. Those of us who have spent time studying Korean know how alien that language can seem, and conversely how strange English must be for someone whose brain is wired for Korean. Children don't really understand why they should be learning English, and I don't blame them.

Sometimes a different approach to teaching helps. Child-centred teaching is taking hold in some EFL countries. Basically this means teaching through games, with the teacher as a facilitator and not a traditional-style "teacher". Ideally, the kids should take to English like a puzzle or a game that they would just as soon be playing at home.

The trouble is, this style doesn't really work as well for the middle school levels. They're often burned out, and very passive and sullen in class. Trying to facilitate a discussion can be like pulling teeth. At their age the exam pressure is starting to mount, and there's a belief that games and fun are just a distraction from real learning.

So I'm experiencing the same issues... when I first began teaching at my hagwon I found kindergarten and younger elementary students to be the most difficult. Later I learned about the games-based approach and it worked wonders because the younger kiddies are so easily amused.

I agree, the middle school classes are a tough nut to crack. The way I stay positive about it is to think that even if they can't communicate in English now, having this foundation will certainly help them later in life if they really want to learn it. When you come off the plane in Korea knowing nothing about the language, learning the language is like climbing Mount Everest. For the students, a background in English can really help them, not necessarily now but maybe in 10 years. Of course not many of us will be here then....

You're not the only one who can babble.

[rapier]

I've seen far more frustration among the teachers....