|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
bbud656
Joined: 15 Jun 2010
|
 Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 5:04 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
I think having both a NET and Korean teacher is important. For one, I could never control some of these kids by myself. Secondly, most English speaking Koreans probably know a lot more about grammar than their NET. Explaining instruction to the kids in Korean is sometimes necessary for them to get the most out of the lesson. Most of my kids go to 5-10 differnent Hogwans a week after seeing me. So they are getting Korean teachers at some point.
This isn't the thread for it, but I feel bad for these kids. Sure they will have many advantages later in life for the hard work they are putting in now. Almost all of my 1st graders are learning 2 languages (English and usually Chinese), play an instrument and can do math I was learning in highschool. But it is costing them their childhood. That is part of the reason why I try to get them to have fun and be creative in my class. When I see those yellow hogwan busses rolling around at 11pm I just think how glad I am that I didn't grow up here. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
bobbybigfoot
Joined: 05 May 2007
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 5:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Koreans underestimate the value of a really good Native English teacher.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Vagabundo
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 2:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Junior wrote: |
| Vagabundo wrote: |
| The school of thought in ESL that holds that cultural interaction is very important in EFL acquisition I consider fairly moronic. My high school French teacher wasn't French, he was an excellent teacher though. |
Right, but you still don't know what you might have missed out on by not having a native French teacher. Especially if you had planned to later live in France.
I mean I had a french friend at uni for 3 years, I consider it invaluable to understanding the mindset whenever I meet french people now. Knowing an english person who spoke french just wouldn't have been the same IMO.
| Quote: |
| with the goal of a complete phaseout, say after 5 years |
It doesn't make much sense- because no other country has "phased out" english teachers on the basis that they think they can teach themselves.
Because the point of it is to internationalise the kids: get them used to interracting with western culture. Sure Japan has cut some programmes, but that is down to economic conditions. |
I agree on the usefulness of the cultural component from intermediate stage and beyond but I think it's not particularly necessary for a beginner. But if you really want to get good/decent at a language, you will need the cultural background for why certain things are said, in what situations, etc because it's at this stage you want to avoid the trap of literal translation, etc. because it may carry different connotations in that language/culture.
which even goes for waygoogin.. which supposedly literally means not of pure han blood/race, etc. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Vagabundo
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 2:24 am Post subject: |
|
|
| bbud656 wrote: |
How do you do quotes on here?
I don't know if this is a cultural thing, but my Korean teachers (most speak English pretty well) rarely converse with students before or after class and almost never talk about anything outside of the text book. I speak to my students about their haircuts, what they did last weekend, what is on the menu for lunch, etc. I also let my advanced kids write about whatever they are passionate about (even Starcraft) as long as they can stay within the 5 paragraph essay format. Also, The idea of a debate was such a foreign concept to these kids (I can only speak for the ones I teach) before I got here.
I don't think my kids would be as engaged if they were just taught my Korean teachers, even excellent English abilities. Just memorizing words and rules isn't a good way to become fluent. Speaking and writing on subjects they are passionate about and thinking critically on the spot while defending topics they may not agree with seem to help my students a lot. Also, it helps to have a NET there to correct any mistakes and pronounciations problems. |
use the quote tags you see below the subject line when you reply to a post
yes, a good part of this is age based and cultural. A Korean teacher (especially 30 plus) won't feel particularly comfortable shooting the breeze with a student and vice versa though I'm sure exceptions exist.
but it also comes down to the simple point that as a foreigner and different person, you are far more interesting, your ideas/thoughts may be interesting or at least a target of curiosity, your experiences, etc.
their Korean teachers offer none of anything new and interesting (for the most part)
think about it in reverse. When abroad, are you curious about the locals or other tourists/expats? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Vagabundo
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 2:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
| bobbybigfoot wrote: |
Koreans underestimate the value of a really good Native English teacher.
|
actually I think many of them do NOT.
the key here is "good".. or "really good". |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Vagabundo
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 2:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
| bbud656 wrote: |
| Secondly, most English speaking Koreans probably know a lot more about grammar than their NET. . |
yes, they can explain it to you in grammar based language.. (if the predicate is after the subject, but before the adverb.. blah blah blah blah)
which means you lose all interest and focus after the 2nd word.
they're weak on idioms, idiomatic expressions (hard to blame them for this) and everyday spoken English that defies explanation
for e.g. why is it that I can say have good weekend, have a good trip, have a good time but when someone says have a good lunch (like many Koreans will) this is not used/strange sounding?
I see such examples (and more) in many Korean English books that have students repeat examples of "expressions" and memorize the structure, etc.
Basic English grammar is actually very very easy, especially so when compared to many other European languages. If a NET can't adequately explain why most things are the way they are, he/she has no business teaching (or simply buy a good grammar based English textbook) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 7:31 am Post subject: |
|
|
Where is supernet? I want more of his routine!
The rumor that Korean schools will phase out NSETs has been a longstanding rumor amongst Korean teachers with no official credibility. It is true schools and opt for no foreign teacher, but the gov't is not phasing them out. One exception is the English-speaking robot that was mentioned this year. Have you ever tried to do business on the phone with a robotic voice that replaced a human representative. It is mind-numbing. Most middle school kids would break that robot within a year, too.
Let Korean teachers continue teaching reading and writing, but if the gov't wants Koreans to speak and use real-world English, it takes real-world practice. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
winterfall
Joined: 21 May 2009
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 5:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Bibbitybop wrote: |
Where is supernet? I want more of his routine!
The rumor that Korean schools will phase out NSETs has been a longstanding rumor amongst Korean teachers with no official credibility. It is true schools and opt for no foreign teacher, but the gov't is not phasing them out. One exception is the English-speaking robot that was mentioned this year. Have you ever tried to do business on the phone with a robotic voice that replaced a human representative. It is mind-numbing. Most middle school kids would break that robot within a year, too.
Let Korean teachers continue teaching reading and writing, but if the gov't wants Koreans to speak and use real-world English, it takes real-world practice. |
I don't know the 2012 deadline sounds doable. The current Korean president used NSET placement as his campaign platform. His policies have consistently been to strengthen the lower and middle class and his term ends in 2012. Korean presidents only get 1 term. Unless his direct successor (Party Protegee) is elected than we can expect a massive reduction. The program probably won't disappear but, it'll definitely shrink away from that 1 nset in every school target |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 5:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Bibbitybop wrote: |
Where is supernet? I want more of his routine!
The rumor that Korean schools will phase out NSETs has been a longstanding rumor amongst Korean teachers with no official credibility. It is true schools and opt for no foreign teacher, but the gov't is not phasing them out. . |
Actually no, it is not exactly a rumor it is more official policy. I've worked in both GEPIK and EPIK. At the orientations I was at we had the superintendent of education for those programs give a speech in which they outright stated that the goal was to educate the Korean teachers/students enough so that in future they could teach English without the assistance of a Native English speaker.
So that has always been the goal. On the other hand this 2012 thing is quite likely a rumor...just like several rumored target dates that have come and gone. They are nowhere near meeting that goal. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
