Korean Job Discussion Forums

[teachingld2004]

This year I decided to work in a University, Bye-bye hogwons.
As far as behavior goes, this job is a dream. So here is the problem.
Just like in hogwons, the students levels vary.
I only teach conversation classes, but as we all know it is not easy. (but it is fun). We do have a book, and I can use it or not. I choose to use it some times. Half the students do not have books, and for me to give them a copy is a pain in the butt.
They want to have conversation, but they do not have the vocabulary. Some do, but most do not.
They could listen to me talk for the whole period;l mostly they do not care. I have put them in groups and that was fine for a time.
I really am at a loss on how to keep conversation going when so many of them are still at the "how are you"? and they say "my name is..."
The better stude3nts are bored, and just like the hogwons the weaker ones have no clue.
What can I do? Any ideas please.
The good thing is that the university could not care less about what I do. No budget for supplies of any kind.

[andrewchon]

Get Andrew Finch's book, "Tell me more!"

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

I love 'New Interchange' for this age and level of students.

For uni I'd go with the blue book

Why it's a great course is that you teach the grammar and vocab in the units and then at the back they have 'Interchange activities' such as role plays, interviews, questionaires, surveys and games realting directly to the lesson.

I've never found a better text for teaching young adults / adults ever.

Try it, you can't got wrong.

[thoreau]

Week A - You lecture introducing an idea or topic. Build phrases and vocabulary.

Week B - Students do an activity based on the previous week's lesson.

Week A - You lecture introducing an idea or topic. Build phrases and vocabulary.

Week B - Students do an activity based on the previous week's lesson.

Rinse and repeat.

For example:

Week A - Build vocabulary about visiting new cities and countries. Introduce and model typical phrases about getting a cab, catching the bus, or asking for help in a hotel.

Week B - Give students role-play cards with various characters. Have them role-play visiting New York (or Paris, or Tokyo, etc) as if they are the characters on the card.

Characters could include: magician, teacher, small girl, blind teenager, K-Pop singer, movie star, airline pilot, etc.

The 2 week model works great for a wide variety of topics. You as the instructor do a lot of work in Week A and in Week B you are the observer and facilitator.

Note - Weeks here refer to a 45 minute period. If you are teaching a 90 minute class Week A would be the first 45 minutes and Week B would be the second half of class.

[teachingld2004]

thank you all.

What I just did, was I put up a Message Board Center in the class room.

I am going to make a newspaper. Well, a small one. Or a small magazine. One night a week we will work on it in class. I have 5 classes each day, and the students come 5 days a week.

I also bought some heavy paper, and am making cards. We will play games to review vocabulary, and to introduce new vocabulary. It should work.

[Chet Wautlands]

[Stout]

[teachingld2004]

The message board center worked.

We neve did a newpaper/magazine because only 3 people wanted to do it.

Cards of every kind work. Everyone loves card games