Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rosetintedwanderlust]

Ok I have been wondering this for a while. When you first start teaching I've read that you introduce yourself and I guess talk about where you are from, your hobbies, etc. So what I'm wondering is if I should make a little powerpoint with pics and whatnot to show the students? Is this something people do?

[JD_Tiberius]

Yes, kids love it. If you are a fan of any famous Baseball or soccer team be sure to mention that, especially if the team hasa Korean player. the Kids at my middleschool went ape when I mentioned I was a fan of Celtic and had seen Cha-du-ri play. I became the best thing since sliced bread for the rest of that lesson.

They also like photos of your family and friends, especially little brothers and sisters (and pets for elementary kids).

[nomad-ish]

i do this too. i also show photos of famous places of my country, sports we play, things like that. you might also want to consider bringing in some coins to pass around the class and have them talk about what sorts of pictures they see on the coins.

as for the pet photos, i've found even my middle school kids love seeing pictures of them (especially if you have an uncommon pet or a really large dog).

[Fishead soup]

It's a good idea. You're co-teacher will be really impressed. Don't expect students to ask a lot of questions on the first day. If the purpose behind the Powerpoint is to stimulate students curiosity to make them ask lots of questions I would be tempted to postphone the powerpoint until the students are feeling a little more comforatable with you. These whole question answer things on the first day are destined to flop 99.9% of the time.

[rosetintedwanderlust]

[NYC_Gal]

I have powerpoints to introduce each topic, complete with photos from home and random animals doing human things that I've found online. I teach elementary, so it gets the kids excited. Later, we use those same pictures (printed out and laminated into cards or on powerpoint games) to practice/play games.

[Weigookin74]

I took pics of family, friends, and some of my hometown (streets, houses, etc). I showed them on computer to the students. It really sparked their curiousity. Worked for me. Take pics of as much as you can back home before you get on the plane. IE Your house - I did a lesson on house, rooms, and furniture using multiple pics I took back home. Took other pics of me using exercise machines and did a lesson exercise and physical activity. Take pics like crazy before you get over here. You'll be glad you did. Shopping malls, stores, restaurants, etc. (But you have to sneak your camera into those places. lol)

[oldfatfarang]

Another good TEFL trick (and oldie but a goodie) is to make a powerpoint about yourself.

One a PPT page, write a statement / question about yourself: e.g., I have a brother. Yes or No.
Have the kids go to one side of the room (Yes or No sides).

The next PPT page is a picture of your brother (so all the NO kids have to sit down). Keep repeating with more statement/question pages / slides until all the kids are seated - or until you've used up all your slide questions. Ensure you mix up your YES and NO questions so they can't work out a pattern. I have about 25 questions and they get really excited toward the end - especialy when you put in trick questions. (My favorite trick question in Korea is: "I have a dragon tattoo on my back.)


This Intro PPT:
- gets the kids out of their seats and actively participating in the lesson from the get go.
- gives your students/co-teachers info about you/your country/ your family/pets/likes/dislikes etc.
(Students like this format because they don't have to speak in your first class.)

Good luck. The first year's teaching is demanding - but real fun.

[NYC_Gal]

That yes/no game is a really good idea! Thanks!

[Caffeinated]

If you can add a Korean connection to your hometown/state/country, such as a celebrity sports player playing in so-and-so major league baseball team, do it.

[ddeubel]

Yes, the guessing game and competition aspect really works. Nice one oldfart!

Here's one I've used in teacher training workshops http://tarheelreader.org/2008/10/20/me-myself-and-i/?speech=1

- bascially to highlight Tarheel Reader. Read more about Tarheel and these kind of book for your students on my ELT and TECH wiki - http://eltandtech.pbworks.com/Tarheel-Reader

What's nice is students can go there afterwards and review/read your slides again.

I also like using a wordle or tagxedo. Pump in key words about yourself and get the students to brainstorm questions to ask you about them. http://ddeubel.edublogs.org/2010/04/09/tagxedo-wordle/

One thing I will say for sure - don't get into class rules the first day. Just introduce yourself and keep it light. Leave that to day 2.

DD
http://eflclassroom.com