Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Swampfox10mm]

Edward, you scare me.

What is needed are English teachers that work together, not against one another.

Please play nicely.

[some waygug-in]

I think it depends on the age and level of the students and also on the size of the class, type of institution etc.


I've found that limited use of L1 can be helpful, but does that mean I should use it every time?

I don't think so. It should only be a last resort when all else fails.

I understand the idea of keeping more students on track by using the L1, but I wonder if this is not more an indicator that the lessons are not engaging enough.

I can see the advantage of teaching children only in the target language, they learn quickly and are able to pick up a lot just from the context.

Older students present more of a challenge.

I think having some key vocabulary and phrases presented at the start of the lesson using L1 can be very effective as well. The problem I've seen is that often the KT goes way overboard with the explanations in Korean. We don't need that. A basic translation is plenty.

There are valid points to be made on both sides of this issue and I think it
is not something that is a "1 size fits all".

[silkhighway]

[edwardcatflap]

[some waygug-in]

It's definitely not one size fits all, but Ed is not talking about ESL classrooms in the States or even university classrooms in Korea. He's talking about Public school NETs, who as least as far as the MOE is concerned, are subject matter experts hired as assistants to improve communicative English of the students and staff. They're not there to teach academic English, to teach strategies to pass standardized tests, or to council students with chronic problems all of which I fully admit L1 would need to be used.
[quote: Silkhighway wrote:]

Well, I agree.

I've never worked in larger centers in the PS system so I can't speak about them, but what I have seen in rural areas the NET's are definitly NOT speaking Korean in classrooms. It's the Korean co-teachers blabbering on and on in Korean leaving the NET hardly enough time to get in the odd English word or two.

I doubt whether I've met 2 or even 1 NET whose Korean was good enough to use in class.


Unless you're talking about Kyopos.... that's another matter.

[Weigookin74]

[Weigookin74]

[mysterious700]

I think the elementary system determines how good they are. Are they good and adequately prepared when they get to middle school? There are some middle schoolers that still don't know their alphabet. Sometimes Korean may be needed in middle school depending on the kid and the district. If kids are going to get help from us, they need to have a strong foundation and a good knowledge of vocabulary before they are really able to communicate with us. If they don't have that, it's just frustration on noth sides. I too have experienced both rural and urban teaching environments. I can tell you in the public schools there is a huge difference.

[Privateer]

I'm more concerned about NKS's (Native Korean Speakers) speaking Korean in class.

[Swampfox10mm]

As mentioned, I'm not saying NETS should teach in Korean. If you have a Korean co-teacher there with you holding your hand, then why would you need to (unless the Korean co-teacher doesn't have a good command of English and you can throw a word or phrase in that can help everyone)? I'm saying that the ability to interact in Korean, if ever needed, is a plus.

Good teaching, in my opinion, goes beyond the classroom. In my experience, I've seen how friendly conversations in Korean outside of the classroom (hall, cafeteria, office, school events, etc.) go a long way toward building a level of comfort between yourself, students, and staff. That level of comfort is what reaches those learners a "my way or else" attitude loses.

Why don't we go join a Korean class together, Edward? Maybe studying the local language will open your mind a bit. I know I like a dose of reality once and a while.

[PatrickGHBusan]

[West Coast Tatterdemalion]

I use Korean in the class every day. I find it extremely useful and will continue to do so as long as I am doing the EFL thang here on the peninsula.

[edwardcatflap]

[The Cosmic Hum]

[Unposter]

While I don't doubt that speaking Korean cements relationships with both students and co-workers, I think it misses the point of why we are here. We exist because Korean teachers can't or won't use enough English in the classroom for students to develop conversational and/or writing fluency. And, especially, if you are in a public school, you are there to provide English practice to your co-teachers and even administrative positions such as your Principle and Vice Principle.

The long term strategy for English Education by the MOE is to develop the fluency of Korean teachers so that they can teach in English.

Of course, if you speak Korean to your students and to your co-teachers, it will only delay the phasing out of FTs which might be a worthwhile strategy if you only care about keeping your job and not improving the skills of your students and co-teachers.

You don't have to teach grammar in Korean, partly because they have already learned English grammar through Korean. Any English explainations only serve to re-enforce what they already know. It is your job to explain less and give more time to use the grammar in a real communicative situation. That is where conversational/writing ability is developed.

IMO, one of the biggest weaknesses of FTs is that they believe they are their students only English teacher. You are actually one of many and each of you play different roles. For the most part, you are there to fascilitate communication and give some cultural insight/understanding. You should work with your co-teacher to provide a full English education with each of you working with your strengths.

I don't think an occasional use of Korean, lets say for the sake of humor, is without a positive effect but to use it to explain or teach probably is.