Korean Job Discussion Forums

[grandpa]

I am asked to do a phonics class for low level middle school students.

A book is being used, but it is boring.

Any suggestions as to how I can make the class more interesting for them?

[RedKristin]

You could focus on rhymes in songs/poems. Some advanced students in my camp can be really good at rhymes that also match meter.

I've also had great luck with having students "teach" me Korean using English letters.

[lifeinkorea]

I think it is pointless for middle schoolers, too late. They would have to independently show interest to make it effective. Otherwise, you will be repeating the same stuff over and over again. First and second grade elementary school students will benefit from this because there is a larger percentage of students who will repeat the sounds for a reason and remember them. This will allow them to advance. By the time they get into middle school, the students who don't demonstrate proficiency at this level will not suddenly remember the pronunciation of words in 1 year that they couldn't learn in 6 years in elementary school. You are working with the bottom of the barrel here.

So, my focus would be more on "melody/motif" patterns to remember the pronunciation of words. Get them role-playing, and with the assistance of a co-teacher explain situations they can relate to. I did stuff like store role-plays and restaurant role-plays. Even 2nd graders in elementary school could do some simple dialogue patterns. However, when it came to airplane, bank, and hotel role-plays they obviously had a hard time. So, you change it a bit to fit their hobbies and interests. Instead of a plane, use a bus for example.

[happiness]

middle school are already locked in for sooneung. no other way.

i would maybe take a syllable, and have ten words using that syllable, and have them repeat it, and maybe start the class off like that, maye 3 or 4 lists. fun? middle school? theyre getting locked into the sooneung mode, the hagwons are getting more intense, and they had to cut off their hair,a dn i mguessing the teachers are getting tough on them.

fun? its a nice idea for a hagwon, but for a school, hmmm

[tanklor1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uYlRTwHc0k

[Kaypea]

[tanklor1]

[TheUrbanMyth]

Making it a game can work.


I did exactly the same thing at my middle school...teaching middle school students phonics.

I found noticeable improvement over the months (on some students' tests) after I utilized a number of educational games.

For example you could make a Snakes and Ladders game and replace the playing squares with the target language.