Korean Job Discussion Forums

[partlythere]

Hi! I'm just seeking some help or advice. I've just started teaching in a large public elementary school in Korea two months ago. I've never taught before, apart from some adult tutoring. I co-teach fourth and sixth graders, and I also have speaking classes with my fourth graders. There are something like eight different groups per level, so essentially I'm only planning three lessons a week.

I feel I can be a good English teacher. Also, my school is good and my co-teachers are lovely. The only thing is, I'm floundering right now. I've devised my own curriculum for the speaking classes and each time I go to plan a new lesson I want to change the target language because it's not quite right. But what to change it to? I have no idea what they should be learning. I tried planning it around the content they are already learning, and expanding on that... for example this week they were learning 'what do you want' so I taught them 'what do you want to buy'?

...but is that appropriate? Should I be doing more? Should it be different somehow? I just don't feel it's right. Actually, my curriculum had something totally different on it and I only changed it to 'what do you want to buy' right when it was time to start planning. So, as you can see, I have no idea what I'm doing.

Also, in my co-teaching classes... this week was terrible because I didn't realise that my co-teacher had to go on a trip at the time we were meant to be planning, so I just didn't get a chance to plan with her at all. She simply did it herself, and asked me to make a game based on a certain topic. I felt really awful because we could have planned the day before, but I was so exhausted and kinda busy planning other stuff, but I could have made time to do it.

As for classroom management, my point system doesn't seem to be working for some classes. Some classes, of course, are great. Today though, two completely different fights broke out in the same class. I find it hard to keep them quiet while I'm trying to demonstrate a game. Of course, I do my best to keep my speaking to the bare minimum but sometimes there are things that I simply must talk about.

Anyway, if anyone can help PLEASE post. Especially about the curriculum. If you know any good websites I can find some info, please let me know. Basically I'm feeling like I'm not a teacher, but i need to be, now. I really want to be good at my job but it's just not happening. Thankyou!

[onlyinkorea87]

First take a deep breath, what you're feeling as a new teacher and for two months is completely normal! Teaching is learn as you go, it's through doing you'll find out what works and doesn't.

Here are some sites for flashcards, worksheets, bingo and other games:

bogglesworldesl.com
esl-kids.com
dtlk-kids.com

Conversation--just think, what do you think they'd need to know if they are meeting someone...asking the time...telling their birthday...talking about yesterday, the present and future. What English language concept can be made simple, and is important to know? Start with a question (like you did before) and go from there...

Visuals are really important too, so even if it is conversation, give them something like puppets or real dolls to work with. Better yet, if they have them, tell them to bring them in, and that your going to put on a mini play with what they've learned.

Game Idea: you can always make a spelling test, my kids last year (grades 5 and 6) really liked dictation (teacher says a word, sentence or question, 1 on 1, who ever can write it the fastest and correctly gets the point), it can get a little rowdy and really hilarious. Encourage the students to help those that need it.


Classroom management--I got some great advice yesterday. Let the students know who's boss. Give them a look, you don't need to yell to get there attention--they'll immediately stop if you walk by them. Praise those who are doing what you ask and being attentive.

Also you can tell them they will go to the principal if they continue to be disruptive (most kids are pretty afraid of them). Another technique is to get another teacher that can reprimand them in Korean.

Rememeber you have to be the enforcer of the rules. What do you offer them if they get all the stars on the star chart? Is it something they really like? It might help to have a picture of a pizza or whatever you're offering them. Fill it in little by little, if they are good.

I find sometimes it's a communication barrier. Ask your co-teacher (or anyone that speaks English enough to know what you mean) to relay what you're saying when it's something you don't think they'd understand.

If you have any more questions feel free to email me here: [email protected] and check out my blog. I was an EPIK teacher last year and am now teaching at a hagwon.

Good luck!

--Onlyinkorea87
http://www.onlyinkorea87.wordpress.com

[partlythere]

Thankyou SO much for the great advice. It's appreciated. I'm going to pore over the links you sent me and if I have any more questions I hope you don't mind if I do get in touch. THANKYOU!!!

[stephorama]

http://www.proteacher.com/070001.shtml

Speaking and listening go hand-in-hand so if you are searching you can also search listening games or listening activities.

www.scholastic.com has been a great resource for me for years.

Reader's Theater is a fantastic way to practice speaking. There are lots of free scripts online. It's also very engaging; kids will often want to go over it again and again, which builds fluency. You can usually find readers theater scripts that follow a particular theme or subject.

Good luck!

[liveinkorea316]

Also you don't need to carry all the responsibility for lack of co-planning all by youself. You co-teacher is paid to plan with you and it is her job. Politely ask her to try and make time to plan with you. And also annoy her for advice if you must. Some K-teachers try to get away with doing as little as possible for you the Native teacher.

For planning... the ideas already given are good. What I find works best is if you work from a text book. If you are near a bookstore or a big city take a trip on the weekend and buy a few ENglish books that are published from the UK or USA. Make sure they are the right level. They can be excellent to follow and they will show you how a good lesson can be done.

[lifeinkorea]