Korean Job Discussion Forums

weso1 · Joined: 26 Aug 2010

My school is going to teach one class for moms as a promotion. I want it to be fun. I was thinking about teaching them phrases for home. Or have them make a "honey do list", stuff like "take out the trash", "clean your room", "stop watching soccer and drinking beer and help me cook dinner."

Also, maybe some useful phrases for traveling.

Thoughts?

PigeonFart · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

I like that idea about giving them phrases that they can use on their kids (take out the trash). They'll like that.
Phrases for their husbands would be funny but not so useful. They might actually use your expressions on their kids though, so that will go down well.

As for the level of the mother's english, it should be fairly basic but good enough to teach simple phrases. The mothers with good english will be more likely to attend that class. The mothers with bad english probably won't bother coming.

The Floating World · Joined: 01 Oct 2011 Location: Here

My thoughts, based on having done it once would be - do not do it.

Think you're already under intense scrutiny and your smallest flaws and mannerisms up for criticism?

Under the ajuma's eyes any tiny little thing they concieve as being not to their liking will make it's way to your boss' ear, probably exaggerated and blown out of context and proportion.

They will be crocodiles with kindly smiles....

nathanrutledge · Joined: 01 May 2008 Location: Marakesh

I disagree with TFW.

If you're on your game, you'll be fine. Really, you have to consider who you are teaching. Most mothers are going to be older, 30's and 40's and their English level will be really low. Really, you can teach them the same thing you teach your students.

Lots of mothers here have no job - they are homemakers, and getting out of the house is always a welcome change of pace. They'll probably be low level, but really friendly, and unlike the children, they'll be willing to try new things. The whole stigma of speaking well or not isn't really their problem.

As others said, teaching them useful phrases to use on their children is good. Also, teaching them phrases and words that they can use to interact with foreigners is a big one - how to give directions, recommend things, etc. All my adult classes have wanted to know that kind of stuff. They feel really embarrassed when they are around town and a foreigner asks them for help and they can't answer.

This is a really good opportunity for you. You can meet the mothers, which means that the kids behavior will improve. You'll get invited to lunch/dinner with them at some point. If there is ever any trouble, they'll be on your side.

Now, the caveat is, as I said at the beginning, you MUST be on your game. If you run a bad lesson, they'll assume that your class with their kids is like that and then it all falls apart. But, in my experience, mothers classes are good, and they are usually eager to learn and participate, and they are fairly forgiving.

The Floating World · Joined: 01 Oct 2011 Location: Here

Ever taught Korean Mum's Nathan?

I did once and they even managed to complain about the way I stood, amongst many other trivial things.

Mr. Peabody · Joined: 24 Sep 2010 Location: here

The Floating World · Joined: 01 Oct 2011 Location: Here

Typical dave's. One guy who thinks he has 'game' gets lucky and thus assumes the other guy who didn't get lucky in the hakwan lotto must have 'no game.'

it's liek the hakwan monkeys who do pictionary and bingo all day and think they're shite hot teachers when really the only reason they have a job is the kids don't complain because they play games all day.

Oh wait, in korea that is 'having game' lol.

My apologies, you're spot on!

Mr. Peabody · Joined: 24 Sep 2010 Location: here

I-am-me · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Location: Hermit Kingdom

I had a lingerie class. They all came dressed in their favorites and I taught them phrases like, "do me", "more,more", "take me", and several other expletives. It was a blast! You should try that. Laughing

swinewho · Joined: 17 Aug 2009

happiness · Joined: 04 Sep 2010

Dress with a fresh pressed shirt (dry clean it)
and shined shoes and such.

Ive taught that class a few times, and these ajummas will notice that!

have them repeat alot of expressions, dont give them too much, and give them a list, something to take home (vocabulary). keep it out of the culture territory. they mostly have to think of being a good KOREAN wife, so dont tell them too much about your countries housewives etc.

Swampfox10mm · Joined: 24 Mar 2011

You could have A LOT of fun with it and turn it into a "how to date a foreigner on the side while your husband is out late drinking at the room salons" class. Laughing

In all seriousness though, this class sounds like it could be a lot of fun. Why not try to meet with a few of them beforehand and find out what THEY are interested in learning?