Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rayray123]

I recently interviewed with a hakwon, and they said I would have to come up with my own curriculum. Is this common? I thought hakwons had their own curriculum already set? I am wondering about it cause it sounds like potentially a LOT more work.

Also a little worried because it seems the previous teacher left mid contract because they were not happy with the quality of the lessons he made.

[koreatimes]

Bigger hagwons usually have a curriculum because parents don't like change from one teacher to the next. However, if you are working for a smaller hagwon, then it is quite common for them to have nothing but chairs and a chalkboard, nothing else.

Ask them if they will be using at least a textbook. You can base your lessons off of them while adding other things. Re-inventing the wheel is pointless and wastes valuable time.

Feel free to use notes at the following site for your lessons http://englishlessons.wikispaces.com

[Squire]

Get a textbook, rename some of the chapters and perhaps change the order a bit then teach straight from the book

[zombiedog]

I did this for two years because my boss really had no clue how to teach English. This takes a lot of prep time, especially when you teach back-2-back classes. I highly recommend getting a course book and using that to base your classes off of. I used a book called Next Stop, which has various books depending on the level of your students. There's an optional workbook, which i also recommend, and you want to make sure your boss gets the optional audio CD for the listening activities. And if necessary the teacher's manual.

This could completely set up your elementary curriculum. and Next Stop is only one option. If you don't have CELTA or TEFL, or have no experience adaption course books, then I suggest the teachers manual.

For middle school students I used Cutting Edge books, and a lot of youtube listen activities. There are also grammar books such as Step-by-Step, which focuses primarily on writing.

But you can only do all of this if your boss is serious about teaching. My boss wasn't and getting him to purchase the material I needed only came with the threat that I was about to quit because of the stress.

Good luck!

[rayray123]

Thanks for the replies.

I think about how much time I spent on lessons at my high school and that was only one new lesson a week. But I didn't use any book there.

So it sounds like with a good book and teachers manual it will be ok.

[joelove]

I think it is common that they don't really know the students' levels of ability in English. It's true at my job now, with books way too hard. If you can, just meet the classes the first time and figure out how much they know, then choose some books.

[Weigookin74]

Get them to put in computers and TV screens too. There are many great childrens songs on you tube that can be used as great warm ups for younger children.