Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MoneyMike]

Hey guys,

Just started at a new high school recently, and things are going quite well. The school I'm at is focused on writing, and the students level is generally pretty good.

One idea I've been mulling over is trying to set up some kind of pen pal program with another school in a different country. I thought that would be a great way to give the students some real world practice with writing. Is this a practical idea? Has anyone ever tried something like this?

If you think this idea is doable, any recommendations for websites that facilitate this kind of thing?

Thanks for any thoughts.

[cedarseoul]

i use ePals...there's a great message board system there where you can connect with teachers around the world (mostly in america / europe) to set something up...

[lowpo]

[MoneyMike]

How small do you mean? I was originally thinking about just starting it with the A level grade 1's. (like the high level students) There are about 100 or so of them. Too many? Why do you recommend a small amount?

I have no experience in trying something like this, so the advice is appreciated.

[kimdeal54]

My co-worker tried this last year at our middle school, and it worked out really well... for the students. He spent most of his time tracking down students who'd missed a class, and making them write their letters by the deadline. He said that it was a lot of work and quite exhausting.

Definitely start with a small number. 100 is a lot. I'd suggest setting up an after-school class if you can.

[MoneyMike]

Hmmmmm. My original thought had been to make this program as a homework kind of thing, where students would write their emails at home, or in their spare time. They could bring me a copy if they wanted me to check their English. They would have to write say 1 email every 2 weeks minimum, and I would create a separate email address to which they would forward a copy of each email they sent. Failure to send on time could result in taking points off the students grade.

Thoughts on this system? Seems to save a lot of the running around, and one email every 2 weeks isn't too much for the high level kids, they generally wouldn't need much help actually writing the emails, but like I said, I would make it known that they could come to me between classes to look over their writing if they wanted.

Thoughts or advice? These are all just musings at this point, and I appreciate the advice of those who have seen this kind of program in action before.

[MoneyMike]

Oh, sorry, one question for those who have done this before. Do students typically send emails directly to their penpal? Or do all the emails go through the teacher, who sends them his or herself?

[murmanjake]

I tried starting this kind of program in december with about 8 kids. They drafted their letters at home, emailed them to me, I corrected and sent back, then emailed them in a batch to a teacher in the States. The lady works with my stepmother and was quite excited about the idea.

After a few weeks of waiting for the responses, and sending an inquiry email or two, I just figured she'd gotten too busy and the project was shelved. Last week I received her batch of letters. They're in this annoying .odt format which my microsoft word refuses to open. And one is addressed to ME not one of my students. Oh and the class I originally wrote the letters with? Half have switched hagwons, and the others by now have forgotten about the idea entirely(after bugging me about it for a month and a half).

I might try to reinstate the program, but at this point I'm just pretending that email isn't sitting there in my inbox...

So OP, be ready for some pitfalls, unforeseen complications, etc. Effectively you're doubling the number of students you're expecting to work accurately and in a timely manner.

[kimdeal54]

[MoneyMike]

Yeah, it probably is best to start small like that. I'm gonna bring it up with the head of english at my school this week, and see what she thinks. If she's down with it, I'll give it a small test run.

Thanks for the thoughts!