Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mikejelai]

An ESL teacher in South Korea is facing a problem on how to get the support of her Korean co-teachers and student�s mother on using game related activities to make her lesson more interesting to her learners. She tried incorporating games in class but parents and Korean co-teachers complained for they think it is a waste of time and money. Have you heard about this? What do you think?

[hondaicivic]

[gypsymaria]

I think that's ridiculous. Sometimes the only way I can get my students to voluntarily use English (as in, not prying out every word like pulling teeth) is by playing a game. I try to work at least one game into every class, usually as a fun warm-up or wrap-up activity. Students are less self-conscious when playing a game than when doing boring speaking or reading exercises, and are more motivated to use English when winning depends on who calls out the correct answer first. Also, there are thousands of excellent classroom-appropriate games that are good for reinforcing vocabulary and other target language. A quick Google search can bring up a whole bunch.

Is this you or someone you know having trouble with parents and co-teachers? In my school, games are actually encouraged, but I think the staff is fairly progressive in terms of education trends.

[sadguy]

wow, that is retarded. seems like a simple case for the co teachers to handle.

is the mother's child some sort of english expert that is too good for games? if so, while you play the game with the class, set aside that student and give them some high level reading material and vocabulary to remember.

[Mikejelai]

It is my friend's story. She is teaching in one of the famous hagwons here in Seoul. I thought it was ridiculous. I think learners learn things if they have more fun and if they enjoy what they are doing. One more thing--- the other teachers (Koreans) also strongly suggested to stop playing games. But, my friend told me she uses game as warm-up or practice drill in class. What do you suggest she needs to do? She doesn't want her class to be really dry and see students yawning and least interested.

[Skippy]

Say yes, and continue doing what you want to do. Remember you are never going to please everybody. This crap goes in cycles. Less Games - More Games - No Game - Ad nauseum.

But also cut her off, go to the head teacher or boss what you are going to do, a

Actually a devious methid is to tell you kids no more games and WHY and point to the kid whose mother complained. To be a extra bastard I would have had a big bag of candy and then since no game no candy. Give that kid a day before he is complain and crying to mom about her meddling.

[Skipperoo]

Call them 'activities' instead. Presto.

[ontheway]

The teacher should follow the policies of the school. Some schools have a reputation for serious study and no games. The mothers and students expect this policy to be followed, as they have the right to do. If management wants to enforce the policies that they have guaranteed to their students and parents, then teachers have to follow.

[gypsymaria]

Is it the school's policy to not allow any games in the classroom, though? Or is this just a case of one parent not understanding how beneficial to learning games are and is raising a huge stink?

I could understand if this is some kind of hagwon for business men/women or something, but I get the impression that these students are kids (since parents are involved), and kids don't really thrive in an "all work, no play" environment.

If it's the school policy, then sure, toe that line. But if not, I'd say the OP's friend should either stand her ground and make a case for why games are useful learning tools and not just frivolous playtime, or apologize and go with Skipperoo's suggestion. They're not "games". They're just "activities" that happen to be interesting enough to keep the kids from falling asleep in class.

[Skippy]

Yes there are schools that are serious and true following my advice might get the person fired.

But still the point is this crap comes and and again. Parent complains classes are too hard, the kids need some fun so a little game time is okay, but remember keep it educational. Remember this usually one parent whi griping. School trying to be a good business tells teacher try to make the class more fun. Teacher takes the advice and institutes fun and little while later another parent heck even the same makes another complaint, classes have become too fun, you need to study harder - no more games. School once again caves and tells the teacher to change. Then it is more tests, yes the kids need more test, never mind the fact the teacher only gets 40 or 50 min the student and they need to have test every week. Then it is more writing, or the teacher has a weird accent, or why not the teacher do some telephone interviews or a different school has a teacher who sings can this one play the guitar. It gets so bloody annoying to constantly try and please one parent who thinks they are the teacher and they know everything.

WHO IS THE TEACHER? If the teacher is teaching and the students are learning the parent probably has nothing to complain about.

You will find that sometimes life just goes easier and you say yes and continue on your way, because every time you listen to a pointy haired boss or a now it all mother with too much time on her hands Life gets difficult and nothing will get done.

OR try this - "Hmm, I will look in that" and change the subject or walk away, if nothing is said again, let things go on the way they are. If they ask just say - no I decided to keep the games. Never hand your power to someone else.

OR just do what they want AND later bring them back. I surprised at the lack of memory. I did the tests they wanted and then let it slide, no notice, little bit more and then one day - GONE.

Also, these type of busybodies are not worth the effort, in the end, the people will either cause too much grief or they go someplace else entirely.

Most of the time a good yes, ok or whatever does wonders.

[WadRUG'naDoo]

Depends on what the games are. If you're playing hangman or bingo ineffectively, I can see the reasoning. But there are games and then there are activities. I'd be hard-pressed to call my activities "games." Some games are just that, but can be proven as useful in practicing the target language. Games like Jeopardy and Beat the Clock are great for developing language skills.

I dunno.

[silkhighway]

[Geumchondave]

Call them warm up activities not games - that in itself might be enough. If not keep all the latest education literature lying around with the relevant passages highlighted and talk this over with your co-teacher, if all else fails just ignore and keep doing what your doing - as other people have said the parents will probabley change their minds every now and again or feel they need to be more hands on for whatever reason at some points - ignore and carry on doing what you think is best for the kids education.

[earthquakez]

Mikejelai and co who don't get it - your friend seems to be teaching at a school that actually has its own curriculum in place to ensure students are getting the English that parents are paying for. Why is your friend taking it upon herself to add to the curriculum without permission?

We all know how boring some of the hagwons are but I can tell you, if my boss didn't let me expand on the set texts and curriculum I wouldn't be doing things my way. I'd be saying 'Yes sir' and doing it his and the parents' way. As it is I use my years of EFL/ESL teaching to make my lessons diverse and fun for the kids. I get them learning grammar in my way and expand on what I see as a limited text that I'd never choose.

But I am being paid to do this job the boss' way and the parents' way. So whatever they ask me to do I do provided it is not illegal or ethically wrong. I think your friend needs to get her mind clear about just what is going on. It's not her hagwon - when she runs her own she can teach whatever way she likes. In Korea they pay big to huge sums of money for private English education. Do you reallly think a parent then has no right to her opinion and to pointing out that the foreign teacher is doing things differently?

I worked in Tokyo once for a big Japanese cram school. They told me from the jump I wasn't going to do things my way even though teaching conversation was different from preparing the kids for entry exams to wherever. Do you think I decided to do it my way? Of course not.

Last point - she's in Seoul. So many qualified and experienced people should be working in Seoul but they're not because of various Korean shortsighted ways of approaching English teaching. She should be grateful she's in a city where most people want to work but can't.

[ThingsComeAround]