Korean Job Discussion Forums

[LongShiKong]

I teach in China and posted this thread on the General, Japan, and China forums (see below):

[iggyb]

I've had limited use of comic books before. Either I'd use ones I downloaded or scan the pages I want.

I use a computer to white out the text unless it was something useful for the class level.

Then I pick some of the first segments and write in a brief text of my own. Usually something outrageous and off the wall - trying to be funny. For example, if the scene is of a superhero and villian punching each other out, I might write "What do you want for breakfast?" "Eggs." "Eggs! I hate eggs!" POW BOOM...

In class, we talk about the pictures: what do they see? Focus on nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs that we can connect to the images. I write useful words on the board.

Then the students would create their own script in the textboxes. Usually working in pairs. It can work with high beginner. It is smoother with Intermediate and above.

It's a writing activity that is less stressful for them than standard methods, and it can build useful, everyday, basic vocabulary.

[soyoungmikey]

http://comicbookproject.org/

http://www.darkhorse.com/Services/Education/

Check out both these sites. You can always incorporate vocab building, basic story outlines (plots, character development etc.) and other ESL related activities. It is student-centered, builds problem-solving skills, and team-work.

I've done it in small groups and I've done it as a class. Both have been successful. And for most kids they really enjoyed making something.

Best of luck.

[andrewchon]

There are many commercially produced manga available in Korea, covering school taught (i.e. boring) subjects made fun. Usually they are in the format of school age children going on a dream like adventure and make use of learnt knowledge to defeat the evil and then wake up back to their mundane life.
They are a bit expensive though, around 5 - 10,000W each, however the quality is good. Probably that's why they are frequently stolen. For English the book is 영문법원정대: English Grammar Conquerors. I've read them. I think they are useful for rekindling interest in learning after the school had it killed and buried. I doubt its usefulness in teaching new learners.

[LongShiKong]

Thanks for your ideas everyone. By the way, Newsweek just ran an article on the political/cultural impact of graphic novels: http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/01/01/the-graphic-novel-renaissance.html