Korean Job Discussion Forums

aussie col · Joined: 31 Jan 2004

What are you thoughts on this.

I��ve been offered a position in a school that seem like a nice school. The problem is that the classes are 35 minutes long and there are 9 of them a day. They say that there is a curriculum to follow so I shouldn��t need to do too much preparation for each class (elementary and middle school). The extra preparation time was my main concern with 9 classes.

I��ve never taught short 35 minute classes before. What is the mental workload like compared to say doing less (ie: 6) 50 minutes classes.

Any input would be appreciated.

Crois · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2004 1:05 am Post subject:

35 minute classes are easy to teach lets put it that way.

50 minute classes can becom boring and are a bit more demanding.

I prefer the shorter classes.

t bear · Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: south central rok

I teach 30min classes and have usually 7 or 8 a day. Can get quite tiring, but you dont really have to prepare, especially if theres a solid cirriculum to follow (which my hogwon lacks).
I teach elementary kids so 30 mins is ample time. do a bit of study then if theyre good 5 min game at the end.

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

I'd prefer short classes like that. My old hagwon had 50 minute classes on MWF, and 75 minute classes on TR. The 50 classes were almost too long b/c the kids couldn't always hold their focus that long. The 75 minute classes were just stupid. Not only were the kids bored after learning for that long, but so was I!

I'd much prefer 35 minute classes. The kids are more alert and willing to learn for that shorter time. Plus, like it was suggested, teach for 25-30 minutes, then play a short game if they're good. It would be much more flexible I'd think.

But 9 classes a day could get tiring. Do you get a break? If so, I'd think it'd be ok. And if the curriculum is already set, prep shouldn't be an issue. But I'd ask to see a copy of the curriculum (or at least a sample).

KPRROK

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

I vote fewer longer. Every class involves adjusting to a new set of faces & a different class dynamic. You psyche yourself up to psyche up the class, & all going well once its rolling you can relax a bit together. The extra 10 or 15 minutes per class is a lot less burdensome than 50% more classes, to my thinking.

At the end of the day, its the number of groups not the number of minutes I'd remember. 9 sounds killer.

phaedrus · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Location: I'm comin' to get ya.

If you are teaching kids remember that they spend the whole day at Korean school with no more than 50min classes for middle school, so try keeping their attention for longer late in the day.

What you want are four or five 40min classes, no more than 20 per week.

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

I teach 10 25-minute classes a day. It's great! The day goes by so quickly and I see the same kids every day, so opportunity for rentention of information is higher. Very Happy

How much of a break do you get between the classes? I have 5 min. between each of mine...I could use longer, but it's such a quick day it's usually not a problem. Like you, no prep really required. It's a set curriculum and though any teacher could always put in more prep. time, more than 20 min/day isn't needed for something you teach over and over.

Looks like your total time would be about 5 1/2 hours teaching. That's not too bad. Much better than classes that are too long!

justagirl