Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gillod]

So, I have my first teacher's class tomorrow. At first i thought it'd be great - We'd talk about the news, discuss our lives, cultural differences etc. Then we had a pre-meeting. I've been handed a bunch of silent, terrified, English illiterate teachers.

Now, I work in an elementary school. I know how to teach English to kids, but I'm not sure how to start at Square One with adults without being condescending. Anyone have some materials/suggestions?

[Ramen]

[Katchafire]

Hi hi ... there are a few ideas here. Best of luck!

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=179909&highlight=

[Patrick Bateman]

I feel for you. I teach Non-English teachers only once a week and absolutely dread that class. Luckily, my English teachers have really come around in the almost 3 years I've been with them.

I recommend asking them what kinds of skills they'd like to work on, and go from there. Be persuasive and try to get them to be specific about what they are looking to get out of your class.

It may not be the same in your case, but when I first started teaching my English teachers' class, I had a similar experience. But, it turned out that the women were scared to talk because of the older men in the class (this is Korea after all). I think getting to know what they want to learn, and creating a comfortable atmosphere will help you exponentially.

If you just want a conversation style practice, pick a theme each class/week and find/make questions geared towards that subject. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to link other websites, but if you Google "ESL discussion questions" the first link is a nice jumping off point.

The homework idea mentioned isn't actually that bad. You could give them a short article from say Breaking News English, and then the next day use the discussion questions.

[brucefox]

crap, I am worried about this now too. I get my first one next wednsday.

[jvalmer]

Giving homework is a bad idea. Teachers are busy, most will not do their 'homework'. I say do topics on culture. It's surprising how much they don't know.

As for young women not talking, so true, if there is someone much older than them in the class. It doesn't really matter if the older person is male or female, young women will be reluctant to speak in the presence of a
'senior'. Best way to get around this is if you ask them questions directly, and even then they will be reluctant to criticize a blatantly wrong answer.

[seoulsucker]

Check this out: www.breakingnewsenglish.com

Some of the discussions and topics are pretty advanced, but the materials are comprehensive and engaging for just about every level.

[gillod]

Here's the thing: Great ideas all around except that some of these teachers can barely say "Hi". If I ask: "What skills do you want to work on?" or "What happened in Japan?" they'll just stare at the floor because they have no clue what any of those words mean.

[MoneyMike]

There must be at least 1 teacher in your school that speaks Korean and at least a bit of English, get them to come for one class so you can ask the question and have their answers translated.

If their English abilities are really that low, just start with introductions.

"Hi, my name is ________."

Get them all to introduce themselves.

"I am Canadian/American/etc."

Get them to follow.

That would be rough though, I've never had to do a teachers class for non-English teachers.

[Patrick Bateman]

[jrwhite82]

[ddeubel]

One piece of advice - keep it (the content and planning) about Korea.

Using culturally specific content really is motivating and you'll get more bang (talk) for your buck. I have a lot of topics/content here. http://bit.ly/eX2xyL

DD
http://eflclassroom.com