Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SCAshley]

So, my school hasn't decided what grades I will be teaching when the new school year starts March 2nd (I arrived January 5th and have just done a couple of winter camps, but that's it). They said I will find out Feb 28th (then the 1st is a red holiday), which is the last working day before the new school year begins. I'm not whining or looking for sympathy, but just wondering if others at public school have had this happen (I'm sure I'm not the only one!) and what suggestions they may have for someone in the same situation. Is there any way to prepare (I could be teaching any/all grades from K-6th)? Thanks guys.

[Zackback]

As far as preparation goes just do all introductions the first day.

[SCAshley]

As in introducing myself to the class? Hmmm...not sure I can talk about myself for 40 minutes, aha. Or do you mean something else? Sorry, I'm completely new to this. Thanks for the reply!

[mmstyle]

Make a power point with some photos. Depending on level (middle or elem) use this to introduce yourself and present vocabulary you will then teach. This is what I do with my first grade MS students. I use for the basis for their first speaking test, so we study it for a while (I only see them once a week). So who go over things like, What is your name/my name is.... and a bunch of other things. The basics of this are covered in 6th grade by my husband, who teaches at the school where 90% of my first graders come from. Obviously, if you are teaching younger kids, you will need to adjust the level, down to very simple. But, kids seem to enjoy learning about their teacher, and doing it visually is a great way to create a lesson from it.

PS, get the kids to try and come up with the vocab themselves once they see the picture instead of just giving it to them.

[jrwhite82]

Take the first class or two as a chance to let your students learn about you, and for you to learn about them. Depending on the level, do an introduction game.

Use this class to also tell them the rules of your classroom. After introducing my name, this is actually the first thing I would do. I explain my 6 Unbreakable Rules. (No Korean (except for teachers), Raise your Hand, Listen When I am Talking, Clean Up Your Mess, No Hitting, and Be Nice to Your Classmates) I believe that by explaining to them my expectations right off the bat, they know that when they walk into my class, it isn't free time to talk with their friends. Getting off on the right foot is really important, especially later on in the semester when they really start testing your patience. I will also explain that I do my best every day to make sure that class is both interesting and educational. (I have my coteacher translate this for me to make sure they get the point)

Also use this time to establish routines. I will take them outside in the hallway and line them up. Then explain how I expect them to come into class. No pushing, running, yelling. When they WALK into the room, they will sit down at their desk and open their book and face front. Once they have done that, they are free to talk to their neighbors until class starts. (This year I think I'm going to use a warmup activity for them to do in the journals every day to cut down on the wasted time getting their attention at the begining of class). Anyway, I will practice this routine with them almost every time I see them for the first few weeks. So it just becomes second nature. Now is your chance to establish routines. This will pay off in dividends come next December after their exams when they don't care anymore.

So after I explain the rules and routines, I go through my classroom managment and reward system. Each student gets a stamp board that they glue on the inside of their front cover of their book. When they participate in a positve way, if I catch them helping their friends in English, if they win a game, etc...they get stamps. Once they get 15 stamps they can trade it in for a no homework coupon, sit with a friend, sit at the teacher's desk, etc...(all free stuff!) When they get 30 stamps, they can choose to have a lunch party with 3 friends and I (we watch funny youtube videos, play Jenga and eat lunch in the English Zone...this was a HUGE motivator for my 5th and 6th graders. I was actually really surprised how well it worked) or a chocolate bar that my coteacher buys. I will probably review the rules one more time to just drive it home. Then go over them again a week later.

Then I introduce myself. Most kids are going to be curious about you, so it's ok to kind of focus on yourself for a few minutes and share your culture and life with them. I always like "Two Truths and a Lie". Make a powerpoint with 3 sentences on each slide about you, 2 are true one is a lie. The students guess which one is the lie.

If they are able, they can make their own "slides" and share with their table/neighbors or the whole class.

Go over greetings. This should easily take up one or two classes.

With older/high level students, you can go to www.eslflow.com and they have student surveys that the students can fill out. It will help you learn about them and then you can use that info when making lessons so you make it relevant to what they like. Maybe you notice a lot of the girls like Kim Eun Ah (figure skater). When you make power points, use pictures of her a lot. Stuff like that.

[oldfatfarang]

A good intro game for very low level (and shy) students. It's active, it introduces you, and the kids don't have to speak for the first class.

Make a power point with lots of slides about yourself.
Each slide has a True False or Yes No question.

Example Question : OFF has 2 brothers?
Students have to go to True or False / Yes or No side of room.
Next slide is OFF with 1 brother.
Students with the wrong answer have to sit down.

Keep repeating until you get a winner - and then start again with more slides about yourself, your family, your country etc.

Good luck.

[Artris]

If you are a new teacher at the school, the students will want to know everything about you from height, weight to where you lived. Expect to be asked if you have a girlfriend, boyfriend, wife or husband.

They will also ask your age. You can turn the class into an introduction type of class if you want to stall for time: have the students each say something about themselves. Also writing your full name out on the board will be entertaining (if it is as long as mine).

[SCAshley]

Thank you everyone for your helpful replies-I will be implementing many your ideas. I really appreciate it!

[tanklor1]

Ahh, the first real class.

I barely remember mine.

I have some minor pints of attention.

- Control your speed and level of speech.

- You're not the first English speaker or Teacher that they'll see; the novelty factor will affect you more than them.

- You've got 40 minute classes so pick something that is very simple to do but very effective. I always find paper crafts to be a big hit.

Ex: http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/pages/428.shtml

- Don't forget your co-teacher if they already planned something follow their direction.

- Don't be too hard on yourself if your lesson sucks; honestly, we all started out pretty terrible.

Best of luck.

[mmstyle]

[lifeinkorea]

[jrwhite82]

I think lifeinkorea made a great pOint about your CT. She might be ready to go and have you there as a back up and support while you get situated and learn the ropes. Just prepare something similar to what others have suggested but be ready to change it or drop it for what your CT wants.