Korean Job Discussion Forums

[proudman]

I've got an interview that I am somewhat nervous about this coming week. I've been in Korea for seven months teaching children at a hagwon. I don't know all of the details of the job yet, but I will be working full time in a 9-6 shift, primarily in a one on one setting with an upper level business executive at a large corporation in Seoul. The pay is significantly more than what I make now! So it seems like a no brainer.

Would any of you seasoned teachers of adult learners be kind enough to share some of your wisdon with me?

I have very little experience in working with adults, and I'm a little concerned with what kind of song and dance I need to do for them during the interview in order to secure the position.

I'd appreciate it if anyone can suggest what I might need to demonstrate during the interview that shows I am a good fit for what they are looking for. I was referred to the company because the recruiter felt that my personality would be a great fit for them. Aside from having an outgoing, fun, and professional personality, what else can I show them that'll minimize the importance of my inexperience with adult learners?

Also, are there any resources or books you can recommend that I get between now and early next week to sound more proficient in working with adults?

At my hagwon, I do not need to prepare lesson plans. I'm assuming that I will have to prepare lesson plans on a daily basis if I secure this job. That's another animal that I am quite concerned about!

I appreciate your listening, and I thank you in advance for any help and guidance you can provide!

[eslwriter]

Teaching adults can be tricky when you are just starting out. The foreigner teacher has to balance a number of variables at the same time. Here is a partial list.

Be prepared. If you walk in hoping to wing it, the alhpa males and females will pounce on you.

Have a plan. Be sure your students know the learning objectives for the class and for the month. This builds your confidence and their trust in you.

Establish quickly that you are in charge. You are the leader. Don't bend to every complaint or suggestion that you should teach "this way."

Be flexible and accommodate different learning styles and speeds. Plan for lots of review. I mean lots.

Avoid playing favorites with the high-level or most talkative students. Your classroom management skills will develop quickly when teaching adults.

Have a good set of quick learning ideas in your back pocket. Five minute activities such as useful phrasal verbs, idiomatic expressions and a whack of whiteboard activities (no hangman to be sure).

Adults often say they want to do free talking. In reality there is no such things. Watch out for that. There will be a lot of dead time if you go down that road.

Adults aren't fond of learning from a book. Some just hate it. Plan on a good amount of pair work.

Finally, make sure your class is fun and engaging. Most of these people will probably have jobs. So they want to be entertained and educated.

That is the balance which good teachers master.

Good luck.
PS you might find a few useful learning games and puzzles from this website. www.eslwriting.org

[sigmundsmith]

Like the other poster said, Korean adults will always ask for free talking but in most levels they are not capable of doing so.

I would recommend that you search for a good conversation book. Go to Kyobo for example and find one that you feel comfortable with and one that meets the conversation needs of your students. Don't know their age or background so that is difficult to make any suggestions here of what book to buy.

If you don't want to purchase a book you can always do a search for adult conversation topics. That is, the students read a passage and then you go through and ask them questions relating to the given passage. Here, you could show different forms of how to respond to question types.

The important thing with adults (and with any class) is interaction. With you and their fellow students. Make them feel comfortable and at ease. It is important to find what they are interested in and not specifically what you are interested in.

I could keep going but I think this might be a start for you until you find your feet. Good luck.

[proudman]

Thank you both for your insight! If you have any other pearls of wisdom, please feel free to share them.

I don't know their age or level yet. It's my understanding that I will be working with executive level business men.

I have no problem getting a book, but do you think getting a book is putting the cart before the horse? I haven't had the interview yet or been offered the job yet. The recruiter just made it sound promising.